The Apple TV 4K continues to dominate the premium streaming device category in terms of technical performance, but the new fourth generation comes with a controversial pricing decision. While Apple offers substantial upgrades in hardware and artificial intelligence, raising the price by $150 compared to the initial launch of the previous generation makes it difficult to recommend to the average user.
A Leap in Performance and Artificial Intelligence
The most prominent technical leap is the transition from the A15 Bionic processor to the new A19 processor. This update gives the device a CPU that is 50% faster and GPU performance that is up to double compared to the previous generation, in addition to supporting AV1 decoding to improve the efficiency of displaying HDR content. This development translates practically into a smoother user interface and ultra-fast responsiveness when navigating between applications.
On the artificial intelligence front, Apple has enhanced Siri's presence in the living room by adding three far-field microphones integrated into the device, allowing for direct voice interaction without the need to use the remote control. Thanks to Siri's expanded capabilities, the assistant is now able to understand personal context from apps like Messages, such as executing the command "play the series Jack sent me information about." To ensure privacy, voice data is processed within a secure and isolated area (Secure Exclave) in the A19 processor, preventing the operating system or applications from accessing this data.
Expanding the Audio and Smart Home Ecosystem
Apple has introduced tangible improvements to the home audio experience, as users can now connect up to four HomePod or HomePod mini (2nd generation) speakers to create a complete surround sound system. It has also added the Whole Room Audio feature, which allows audio to be broadcast evenly throughout the entire room, making it ideal for gatherings and events.
Additionally, the device acts as an advanced smart home hub, supporting HomeKit and Matter protocols. Thanks to Apple Intelligence technologies, users can now get instant captions for connected security camera footage and control devices such as locks and thermostats directly from the TV screen.
What Changes Practically for the User?
The most important change is not in the specifications, but in how the device is purchased. Apple has abandoned the budget option that relied on Wi-Fi only and had less storage capacity; the fourth generation now comes with only 128 GB of storage and a starting price of $299. This trend significantly raises the barrier to entry for the Apple TV ecosystem.
Conclusion: If you own the third generation, there is no urgent need to upgrade at this time. However, if you are looking for your first device, it might be better to wait for sales or look in the refurbished market, as the added value in performance may not justify the large price gap for a user who does not need the full capabilities of the A19 processor or the quad-speaker audio system.