Why I am nonetheless holding out on the most recent Apple TV improve (and also you may need to, too)

Key Takeaways

Hold your first-gen Apple TV 4K: it is quick, snappy, and has no main lacking options thus far.
Image high quality does not considerably differ between generations, making upgrading not essential.
Newer fashions include upgrades like FaceTime and HDR10+ assist, however assess if you really want them first.

The Apple TV 4K is definitely probably the greatest streaming units available on the market, and it is my private favourite regardless of not having a single other Apple product in my household. There are three generations of the Apple TV 4K, and the common Apple TV goes again even additional. I picked up an Apple TV 4K to benefit from Dolby Atmos on Apple Music, one thing you will miss for those who ever switch to Spotify, which meant I solely needed to seize the first-gen 4K mannequin. The newer fashions have extra bells and whistles, however I have not felt any have to improve, even when my machine is ageing increasingly by the day.

Relying on what you utilize your Apple TV 4K for, you may not have to make the improve any time quickly both. Exterior of Apple Music, I primarily use my machine to look at 4K content material on Max, Netflix, and different streaming apps. There are issues you may decide up a more moderen mannequin for like FaceTime, however that is not one thing that significantly pursuits me, particularly since I do not even have an iPhone.

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If you happen to’re questioning for those who ought to make an improve from the first-gen and even second-gen Apple TV 4K, I do not assume there is a significantly compelling motive to do it. My first-gen Apple TV 4K continues to be fast and snappy, and there is not any characteristic I am dying to have in addition to what I have already got in entrance of me. The largest improve, in my eyes, is the distant — however there’s excellent news in that particular division.

Apple TV 4K (2022)

Model: Apple
Bluetooth codecs: 5.0
Wi-Fi: 6
Ethernet: Gigabit (128GB mannequin solely)
Storage and RAM: 64GB, 128GB

Work out what you want and go from there

Weigh your choices

Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Apple TV 4K

One of many greatest upgrades of the Apple TV 4K over the generations is the distant, however you do not want new {hardware} for that. Though I’ve the first-gen machine, I’ve the second-gen distant. It connects seamlessly, so if you wish to decide up a glossy new distant, you are able to do that. Exterior of that, there’s not quite a bit else that catches my eye.

An enormous change with the third-gen Apple TV 4K is the introduction of HDR10+ assist. This model of HDR is a competitor to Dolby Imaginative and prescient, but it surely’s lagging behind in reputation. As of proper now, Dolby Imaginative and prescient is much forward by way of merchandise that truly assist the know-how. In case your TV makes use of HDR10+ and also you need to use it, that is a great motive to improve to the third-gen Apple TV 4K. A better-end Samsung TV has a good probability of HDR10+ assist, so ensure you double-check that. If you happen to solely have entry to Dolby Imaginative and prescient, it is obtainable on all generations of the machine, so there is not any motive to tug the set off on one thing newer.

HDR10+ assist is rising, however Dolby Imaginative and prescient continues to be extra well-liked.

An Apple icon and a settings icon side by side.

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One other factor holding me again from taking the plunge is the worth. Certain, the know-how is newer within the newest technology and the machine is most definitely sooner than my ageing first-gen Apple TV 4K, but it surely’s not one thing I am certain is price it for round $150. As I stated earlier than, there’s nothing flawed with my present machine, and if I am not going to make use of the brand new options, then I do not see a have to make a change. Whereas smartphones really feel like they must be upgraded usually attributable to lowering efficiency, that hasn’t been the case with the Apple TV 4K, at the least in my expertise.

The primary-gen units have been launched again in 2017, and it is nearly extraordinary to listen to about an Apple product lasting seven years, however that is how issues have labored for me. There is not any query that the newer units have beefier {hardware} and extra options, however for anyone who simply makes use of the machine to look at TV and films, there is not any motive to make a change.

The primary technology is already very mature

There aren’t many locations to go

An Apple TV 4K and a Siri Remote on a table.

Whereas 8K decision exists at present, it is extra of a buzzword than something. 4K TVs have solely just lately began to change into the norm, and there are numerous folks nonetheless hanging onto their 1080p TVs. Not like a gaming console that may carry on pushing boundaries with its graphics, a TV present or film does not want beefy {hardware} to provide the greatest image. The unique Apple TV 4K is lots sufficient, and outdoors of the HDR10+ assist from the third-gen machine, there’s not a lot of a distinction with image high quality. For some folks, the Apple TV 4K is a future-proof machine for once they resolve to improve to 4K.

The beneficial properties that may be made come from different issues like lossless audio, FaceTime assist, and gaming efficiency. Having a stronger processor seen within the newer generations could make a giant distinction for individuals who prefer to connect a controller and begin gaming. Once more, it comes right down to what you intend on utilizing your machine for. For me, these upgrades are good, however I am unable to envision myself ever utilizing them recurrently, so there is not any want for me to get a more moderen streamer.

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Apple is not giving me a great motive to improve

I am superb with ready

In the end, I haven’t got quite a bit to complain about as a result of its good Apple has given me a totally feature-rich product that is nonetheless working seven years later. You do not at all times see electronics with lengthy lifespans like this, and normally, there will likely be one thing that ultimately makes me improve. For gaming consoles, it is the tip of assist and the promise of elevated efficiency and graphics. For the Apple TV 4K, there’s been nothing of the kind. Nonetheless, you will not discover me complaining a few consumer-friendly transfer. The Apple TV 4K nonetheless has the most recent apps, and that is nearly all I am on the lookout for.

I perceive different folks have completely different wants, and for those who’re on the lookout for one thing with extra RAM, cupboard space, and higher gaming efficiency, then there is a good motive to make the leap to the most recent technology. Nonetheless, for those who’re like me and do not want any of that, there’s nothing flawed with staying with the older technology so long as it lasts. As anyone who has needed to exchange electronics before anticipated up to now, it is good to have one thing just like the Apple TV 4K that has confirmed it has some endurance. It lets me put my cash into different locations, like a encompass sound setup and a Dolby Imaginative and prescient-equipped TV that may benefit from what Apple’s streaming field has to supply.