Time to ditch your Fire TV Stick? New Amazon rival is coming to the UK soon

‌Fire TV Stick lovers will soon be able to get the same great user interface without needing a dongle plugged into the back of their telly. Panasonic has just revealed its latest batch of screens and its MX800 4K LED model is fully powered by Amazon’s Fire OS software. That means there’s speedy access to all of the most popular streaming premium apps such as Disney+, Prime Video and Netflix.

Along with paid-for content, Amazon’s Fire OS has plenty of free shows and movies as well so owners should never be short of things to watch.

As well as that Fire OS software being built in, the MX800 4K LED also ships with a Fire-style remote control that offers simple access to Alexa voice controls. That means the on-screen action can be paused and played just by barking orders at the display.

Panasonic is promising that the MX800’s HDR Cinema Display delivers a wide range of colours for a more natural image and there’s also the firm’s HCX Processor tucked behind the screen which can analyse the colours, contrast and clarity to always display the best image possible.

Plus the clever Filmmaker Mode makes sure the picture is always true to the filmmaker’s vision.

Other extras include support for the latest HDR technologies – HDR10+ and Dolby Vision – which helps boost the colours and contrast.

Finally, there’s a sound boost thanks to immersive audio that puts you right into the action. Panasonic has fitted the MX800 with Dolby Atmos support which the firm promises will create an enriched surround experience.

When it launches in the coming months, MX800 4K LED will go head to head with Amazon’s new Fire-powered tellies that recently arrived in the UK.

This new Amazon range includes the budget 2 Series along with the improved 4 series and top-end Omni screen.

Prices for Amazon’s TVs start from £249 although the firm currently has an offer that drops that cost down to just £179.99. Panasonic is yet to announce the cost for its MX800 but pricing should be revealed soon.

Speaking about the launch, the firm said: “Today, Panasonic announces the MX800 LED 4K Ultra HD TV with Fire TV built in and access to Alexa, offering the company’s trademark high-quality picture and sound, paired with the content-forward experience of Fire TV. With Fire TV built in, the MX800 is the perfect range for consuming content without hunting through individual apps to find something to watch.”