6 Reasons Why You Need a Firestick with Samsung Smart TV
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Amazon’s Firestick has undoubtedly changed the way we watch TV. Not only can you plug it into any TV with an HDMI port, but you also gain access to Amazon’s unparalleled video streaming services.
Technically, you don’t need a Firestick to operate a Samsung Smart TV, but with it you gain a smoother interface, faster navigation, portability, smart home integrations, more apps, and Alexa voice to search and launch content.
If you already have a Samsung smart TV, then you may be wondering why you need an Amazon Firestick on top of that. Amazon’s Firestick comes with various features that are either not present on the Samsung smart TV or just plain easier to use.
1 – Samsung TVs have Slower Processors and Less Storage
Many Samsung TVs have very low end processors which results in slower navigation and performance. Most buyers are focused on screen size and screen technology, but the hardware is often lacking.
Note: This mainly pertains to budget Samsung models or older models.
Disadvantages include:
- Slow navigation – Changing menus or screens may be slow or lagg.
- Slow Download – Slow processors result in slow App downloads.
- Limited storage – Less storage means less apps you can download and cache filling up quicker.
- Screen freezes – Screens will freeze or take longer to load.
- Crashes – Samsung TV may often crash when the processor is overloaded.
Most Samsung TVs has less than 1GB of storage while most of the newer Fire TV Sticks have 8GB of storage, and the Fire TV Cube even has 16GB!
TV Manufacturers know that most consumers will simply pick up a streaming stick like a Fire TV Stick or a Roku 4K if they don’t want to deal with their slow processors. It’s why TV brands have started to include things like Google TV and Roku TV built into them.
2 – Firestick Is Portable
Say that you’re going on vacation and want to stream your favorite shows while in a hotel room–or even just want to have a TV night with friends or family somewhere other than your home.
Packing up your entire Samsung Smart TV isn’t exactly practical.
However, with an Amazon Firestick you have the convenience of:
- Saved Logins & Passwords – Stick it into any TV and not have to enter your log-in credentials
- Saved Device Settings – Your personal settings are saved for Privacy, App notification, Display, and more.
- Physically Portable – Keep it in your pocket, backpack, or purse since it only weighs 53.6 grams
- Plug & Play – Fire TV Sticks are easy to install, it takes virtually seconds to install it
You can even download media onto your Firestick in case you are going “off the grid”. With just a Samsung smart TV, this would be difficult.
3 – Firestick Can Keep Your TV Lasting Longer
TVs will get outdated very quickly and you will notice over the years that the performance and experience is slower compared to when you first bought it.
TVs degrade over time in addition to less updates occurring and more bugs popping up.
Here’s one example where a Reddit user is able to avoid upgrading to a newer TV every few years by using a streaming stick such as a Chromecast with a TV from 2012.
Note: Firesticks, Roku, Apple TVs, etc. These are all better options then only using the Samsung TV for a TV streaming experience.
Would you rather spend $40 on a Fire TV Stick or $500+ for a brand new TV?
If you’re not in a rush to upgrade your old Samsung TV, we opt to save some money today and save for tomorrow.
4 – You Can Customize Your Samsung TV’s Interface
Although you can customize some things about your Samsung TV’s interface, Amazon’s Firestick gives you more options.
While some of the following features overlap with what is already available on your Samsung smart TV, here are some things that the Firestick gives you control over:
- The ability to upload personal photos and use them as your “screensaver”
- Change your “theme,” controlling colors and interface style
- The apps that are available on your TV
- When the TV automatically turns off after a period of inactivity
- The TV’s brightness, hue, and contrast
If you have your Firestick for long enough, it will also show you your “memories.” By allowing the Firestick access to your phone’s camera roll, your TV will display pictures on the anniversary that you took them.
5 – Firestick Can “Talk” to Your Smart Home Assistants
With the Amazon Firestick, not only can you program your TV to “talk” to your smart home assistants, but the setup process is super easy.
You can even get your Ring doorbell to show on your Samsung Smart TV.
To get your Samsung smart TV to sync with your other devices, you may need to download more than one app. This is not the case with the Firestick if you are pairing it to another Amazon-based device.
Once you pair your smart TV/Firestick combo to your Alexa or Google Home, you can:
- Ask it to change the channel for you
- Ask it to play a specific show or movie
- Have it turn the TV on and off
- Adjust the volume
- Set reminders, so you don’t miss your favorite programming
- Have it rewind or fast-forward
- Mute the TV
- Switch inputs
Doing these commands manually is a thing of the past. With an Amazon Firestick paired with your Samsung smart TV, the only thing you have to worry about is relaxing and enjoying your show.
6 – Get More Apps, Samsung TV Doesn’t Support All Apps
Unfortunately, the Tizen OS (Samsung TV’s operating software) doesn’t support every single app you would expect.
We’ve noticed Samsung TVs that are roughly 2018 or younger will start to see more Apps not being supported.
Here’s an example where a Reddit user reported their Hulu app was no longer supported by their Samsung Smart TV in 2022.
We know that newer Samsung TVs will support big apps such as Hulu, but this still leaves millions of Samsung TV owners in the dust.
The best solution? Grab a Fire TV Stick where you are guaranteed to find the App you’re missing.
The Crunchyroll App is another example where viewers have to find work arounds to watch Crunchyroll on their Samsung TV.
FAQs
Is the Roku better than the Firestick?
The Firestick is more budget friendly and has a lot of smart home compatibility to brands like Ring and SmartThings. Roku has a stronger user friendly interface and a variety of channel selections.
What is the point of a Fire Stick if you have a smart TV?
A Fire Stick provides faster navigation and a smoother user experience compared to a slower Smart TVs processor.
Is there a monthly fee for Fire Stick?
There is not a monthly fee for the Firestick but it does require an Amazon Account which can be created for free.
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