An improved Omni TV for the Alexa faithful
Editors‘ Note: This is the most recent version of the 75-inch Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED. Read our original review from November 10, 2022 below.
The Amazon Fire TV smart TV platform is a powerful interface with lots of features, particularly the Alexa voice assistant, and we highly recommend Fire TV media hubs like the Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube. In the past, though, we’ve been underwhelmed by TVs that use the Fire TV platform, and even Amazon’s own Fire TV Omni disappointed us with its mediocre performance. The company has since updated its TV, which is now called the Fire TV Omni QLED ($799.99 for the 65-inch model). It’s only slightly more expensive than the outgoing version, and while it isn’t too much brighter than the original, it has superior contrast and color, and that makes it much more appealing, particularly for dedicated Alexa users.
Editors‘ Note: This review is based on testing performed on the 65-inch Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED. Apart from the screen-size difference, the $1,099.99 75-inch Fire TV Omni QLED is identical in features, and we expect similar performance.
The Fire TV Omni QLED has an understated style that’s become typical of current high-end TVs. The screen is framed by a barely there quarter-inch gunmetal gray bezel on the sides and top, with a 3/4-inch brushed metallic strip on the bottom edge. A black protrusion on the lower bezel holds the far-field microphones and mic mute switch.
The TV sits on two V-shaped metal legs positioned nearer the sides. This means it has to sit on something at least as wide as the legs and might negate certain narrower TV stands. It also supports standard VESA mounts.
The power cable connects to a port on the left side of the TV’s rear panel. All the other ports are on the right side, including four HDMI ports (one eARC), a USB port, an Ethernet port, an optical audio output, a 3.5mm headphone output, a 3.5mm port for the included infrared blaster, and an antenna/cable connector.
The remote is identical to the one included with the Fire TV Cube. It’s a thin black wand with a circular navigation pad near the top. The power button, Alexa button, and pinhole microphone are above the nav pad. Menu and playback controls sit below the pad, with volume and channel rockers farther down. Dedicated service buttons for Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix are positioned near the bottom of the remote.
The Fire TV Omni QLED uses Amazon’s Fire TV smart TV platform, which makes it effectively work just like a Fire TV Cube. The interface supports most major streaming services in addition to Amazon’s, including Apple TV, Crunchyroll, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, Sling, Twitch, and YouTube. Music is available through both Amazon Music and a variety of third-party services, including SiriusXM and Spotify.
