Roku Streaming Stick (3600) vs Roku Ultra (4800)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Streaming Stick (3600) compared with Ultra (4800)
RokuStreaming Stick (3600)RokuUltra (4800)
Overview
ReleasedApril 2016October 2020
Video and audio
Resolution1080p4K (better)
HDRNoneHDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG (better)
Dolby Atmos–Yes
VideoUp to 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps, or 720p at 60 fps; interface renders at 1280 × 720 (Roku's exact Briscoe/3600X developer row and footnote)Up to 4K at 60 fps; Roku's model-4800 guide specifies an HDCP 2.2 HDMI connection for 4K
HDR–Roku's current Benjamin/4800X developer row lists HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG. An older model-4800 support document also claims HDR10+, which the developer row omits; HDR10+ is left out of the main field pending reconciliation
Audio–Dolby Atmos with compatible content and sound system; TechRadar lists AAC, MP3, WMA, FLAC, PCM, AC3/EAC3, DTS and ALAC support
Performance
SoftwareRoku OSRoku OS
Chip detailsArm Cortex-A7 quad-core at 800 MHz; OpenGL ES 2.0 (Roku's exact Briscoe/3600X developer row)Quad-core processor (Roku launch announcement); Roku's Benjamin/4800X developer row identifies Arm Cortex-A55
Memory512 MB (Roku's exact Briscoe/3600X developer row)2 GB (Roku's Benjamin/4800X developer row)
Software and servicesLaunched with Roku OS 7.1 and Hotel and Dorm Connect for browser-authenticated networks (Roku announcement reproduced by 9to5Toys); apps and features vary by region and software versionRoku OS; OS 9.4 was announced alongside the player. AirPlay 2 and HomeKit were added after launch, as confirmed in Tom's Guide's review; apps and features vary by country and software version
Connections
Wi-FiWi-Fi 4Wi-Fi 5
EthernetNoYes
Voice remoteNoYes
PortsHDMI plug, Micro-USB power input and reset button; USB cable and mains adapter suppliedHDMI, USB, Ethernet and power input (model-4800 Quick Start Guide); no microSD slot (both reviews)
Wi-Fi and BluetoothDual-band MIMO; 802.11n (Roku announcement and TechRadar)Dual-band 802.11ac (TechRadar); Bluetooth support and up to 50% greater wireless range than the prior model (Roku's launch claim)
Smart home–Controllable through compatible Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant devices; AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support with updated software
RemoteOriginal point-anywhere remote uses AAA batteries and has navigation, playback and app shortcut buttons; voice search and headphone listening use the separate mobile app (TechRadar)Original voice remote has TV power, volume and mute, headphone jack, two personal shortcuts and lost-remote finder; two AA batteries. Later rechargeable-remote bundles are not separate player hardware here
Design
TypeStickBox
Power–Supplied mains power adaptor
Size3.25 × 0.9 × 0.5 in, length × width × depth (TechRadar)4.9 × 4.9 × 0.9 in (Tom's Guide)
In the box–Ultra player, voice remote, headphones, two AA batteries, Premium High Speed HDMI cable and power adaptor

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