The Apple TV 4K has long held its position as the premier streaming box on the market, offering a combination of speed, picture quality, and advanced features that outpace more affordable competitors. With the arrival of the fourth-generation model, Apple has doubled down on performance by integrating the speedy A19 chip, adding new far-field microphones for hands-free Siri interactions, and expanding home theater audio capabilities. Despite these substantial upgrades, the streaming device faces a major hurdle in the form of a significantly higher price tag that puts it at $299.
Key takeaways
- The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K costs $299, representing a $150 increase over the launch price of its third-generation predecessor.
- Performance is driven by the new A19 chip, delivering up to 50 percent faster CPU performance and double the GPU speeds.
- Three built-in far-field microphones allow users to speak directly to Siri without needing the remote.
- The device now supports up to four HomePod or HomePod mini speakers for a complete surround sound home theater setup.
Design changes, A19 processing power, and Siri updates
Physical modifications to the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K are minimal. Apple shifted the front indicator light from the right side to the center, while spec sheets reveal the new unit is 0.24mm larger in width and depth, and 3 grams heavier than the previous version. The Siri Remote retains its exact dimensions at 1.4 inches by 5.4 inches by 0.36 inches. Inside the compact chassis, however, the upgrade to the A19 chip brings a massive leap in computing power compared to the older A15 Bionic architecture. Apple claims the new processor handles 50 percent faster CPU tasks and up to twice the GPU performance, which translates to a highly responsive user interface and a dedicated AV1 decoder for HDR rendering efficiency.
The A19 chip also powers an expanded role for Siri in the living room. Three built-in far-field microphones allow users to issue voice commands directly to the television without picking up the remote. Siri can manage live TV, movies, and sports across applications, and pull personal context from Messages to execute requests like playing a specific show recommended by a contact. Audio captured by these mics is processed locally within the Secure Exclave on the A19 chip, keeping user data private from Apple and third-party apps. Additionally, the Find My app now features Precision Finding for the Siri Remote, helping users track down misplaced controllers with ease.
Enhanced HomePod audio and smart home integration
Audio capabilities have received a notable expansion. While previous models limited users to a stereo pair of HomePods or HomePod minis, the new version supports up to four matching or mixed second-generation HomePods or HomePod mini 2s to create a fuller surround sound home theater system. During setup, the Apple TV 4K emits a series of tones to tune the audio specifically for the room. A Whole Room Audio feature is also available through the Control Center, enabling all four speakers to play identical audio tracks for gatherings and parties.
As a smart home hub, the device controls thousands of HomeKit and Matter accessories such as cameras, locks, and thermostats. HomeKit Secure Video allows for local processing and encryption before clips are sent to iCloud, and Apple Intelligence provides captions for camera feeds. Users can view live security feeds directly in the corner of their TV screen and handle doorbell alerts without leaving the couch. However, tvOS requires users to manually create a Scene or add a camera before the Home icon populates the Control Center, creating an extra hurdle for smart home management.
Pricing concerns and purchase recommendations
The primary drawback of the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K is its cost. Launching at $299 with a standard 128GB of storage, it is $150 more expensive than the equivalent third-generation version cost at launch. Apple has also discontinued the more affordable Wi-Fi-only model with smaller storage capacities. For current owners of a third-generation model, upgrading is difficult to justify, and first-time buyers may want to consider hunting for sales, refurbished units, or discounted used hardware to save money while retaining the core streaming experience.
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