The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K costs $299 in the United States and no longer has a cheaper 64 GB version. Reviews from Engadget, The Verge, Tom’s Guide, 9to5Mac, and Applesfera agree that it remains one of the best streaming players, but differ on how much its new features justify the price increase.
- Chip: A19
- Storage: 128 GB
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Gigabit Ethernet
Apple has refreshed the device after four years with a more powerful processor, built-in microphones for talking to Siri without using the remote, and new audio features with up to four HomePod speakers. The exterior design has changed little: The Verge and Tom’s Guide describe a device that is practically identical to the previous model, with the status light now in the center. The A19 also includes AV1 decoding, an improvement that Engadget and Applesfera highlight for its efficiency when playing compatible video.
Speed is one of its strengths. Engadget describes a snappy, smoother interface, while Tom’s Guide also noticed that apps seemed to open faster, although it did not time the difference. 9to5Mac, by contrast, noticed improvements only in certain animations and apps with local processing: in its review, the chip’s main advantage may be to provide headroom for future updates, rather than changing what people do with the player today.
The remote and four HomePod speakers are the most tangible new features
The Siri Remote keeps its appearance, but can now be located with Find My and made to play an alert. Engadget, The Verge, and Tom’s Guide call it a useful improvement for finding a lost remote between the cushions. 9to5Mac also rated it highly in its tests and notes that Apple sells the remote separately, compatible with previous generations of Apple TV 4K. So if that is the change you care about most, you do not need to replace the entire device.
The option to connect up to four HomePod speakers is the new feature that most excites those looking for a home theater system within Apple’s ecosystem. The Verge tested a pair of second-generation HomePod speakers at the front and two HomePod mini 2 speakers at the rear; it praised the placement of effects and the bass, although it found that Dolby Atmos did not create an enveloping sensation above the listener. Engadget also praised the sound separation and automatic calibration, while Applesfera appreciated the ability to combine the two models in pairs.
Not everyone sees this setup as a solution for everyone. Engadget considers it an appealing extra, but questions whether four speakers should have to stay in the same room rather than being spread around the house. Tom’s Guide notes that the cost of the HomePod speakers can bring the total investment close to that of a soundbar. The Verge also puts the price of the setup it tested, with the Apple TV and four speakers, at $1,300. The feature requires matching pairs at the front and rear and is exclusive to the new model, according to Applesfera.
Siri adds microphones, but does not always get it right
The three long-range microphones let you give commands without picking up the remote. Engadget and Applesfera found hands-free interaction useful; The Verge was also able to activate Siri from the couch. The assistant can use personal context to find content mentioned in messages, but The Verge found its responses inconsistent and noted difficulties recognizing voices or understanding some requests. In one test, a command to play a Formula 1 race ended up playing songs with similar names.
Tom’s Guide reached a similar conclusion when searching for movies: Siri suggested titles it did not consider suitable for children and left out options that appeared on other services. It also found incomplete results on Netflix. 9to5Mac, meanwhile, says contextual questions about what you are watching can produce incorrect answers. Applesfera adds another caveat for Spain and the European Union: some Siri features have regional and language limitations.
The new Siri features are not entirely limited to the newly released hardware. Applesfera and The Verge say they will also come to the second- and third-generation Apple TV 4K with tvOS 27.2. What sets the new device apart is its built-in microphones, which let you talk to the player without using the remote.
“Apple has made the best Apple TV yet, although it may not be the one you need”
— Pedro Aznar, Applesfera
The price divides enthusiasm from recommendation
Reviews cite a price of $299 in the United States; Applesfera puts the price in Spain at €349. Engadget and 9to5Mac focus on the disappearance of the budget 64 GB option, while The Verge and Tom’s Guide also consider the price steep compared with cheaper players. The new model offers 128 GB as standard, Ethernet, and updated connectivity, but people who mainly use streaming apps may not benefit from all that capacity.
The software remains an important part of the proposition. 9to5Mac praises the clean interface and integration with the rest of Apple’s devices; Tom’s Guide also prefers it to the screens with more ads on some competing devices. However, the latter review misses a stronger presence of recommendations and content that helps viewers pick up a series again or discover what to watch. The advantage of a less cluttered interface does not, by itself, solve the problem of finding content, and that is where the criticism of Siri carries weight.
The main point of agreement is clear: the Apple TV 4K is fast, well integrated, and adds useful features, especially for people who already own HomePod speakers. There is also agreement that its price makes it difficult to recommend across the board. Opinions diverge when it comes to the sound: The Verge and Engadget celebrate the four-speaker system, while Tom’s Guide questions its value for money. And while Applesfera sees an appealing product for users in the ecosystem, The Verge and Tom’s Guide are more critical of Siri; in their view, its shortcomings diminish the value of one of the main new features.
For anyone who already owns a third-generation Apple TV 4K, Engadget recommends keeping it. 9to5Mac notes that the A19 provides headroom for future updates, although it questions the $299 price. Applesfera saves its strongest argument for those who want to set up surround sound with four HomePod speakers. Outside that scenario, the question raised by the reviews is whether speed and integration are enough to offset a device that now costs considerably more.
Sources: Applesfera, Engadget, The Verge, Tom's Guide, 9to5Mac
