You might be surprised to learn that there’s an all-new Apple TV 4K that was introduced alongside the M2 iPad Pro and updated iPad. The reason why this is surprising is that Apple usually doesn’t update the Apple TV on a regular cadence. For reference, the 1st generation Apple TV 4K was released in 2017, with the 2nd generation coming in May of 2021, almost four years apart. And now, the Apple TV 4K (2022) is here, aiming to bring even more improvements.
Under the hood is where most of the important differences can be found, as the 3rd generation Apple TV 4K is now powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip. This is the same processor that was originally introduced alongside the iPhone 13 series and re-implemented with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
According to Apple, this will provide a 50% increase in CPU performance, along with a 30% improvement in GPU performance. Normally, GPU performance wouldn’t really be that big of a deal, but the new Apple TV 4K now also supports features such as HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 7.1, and Dolby Digital 5.1.
Pricing for the Apple TV 4kK (2022) starts at $129 for the 64GB model or $149 if you want 128GB of storage. While we’re waiting to get our hands on the Apple TV 4K (2022), let’s take a look at some of the other publications that have already published their reviews or impressions.
The Verge: Unmatched power at a much better price
“As for existing Apple TV 4K owners, unless you’ve got a Samsung 4K TV in your living room and have been waiting with bated breath for HDR10 Plus, there’s no compelling reason to upgrade from a prior model to this one. You’re unlikely to perceive any of the speed improvements, and Thread / Matter is only just getting off the ground, so there’s plenty of time to wait for whatever Apple’s got next in the Apple TV pipeline. It’s not about reinventing TV anymore. Like many of Apple’s products this year, the Apple TV 4K makes its case with gradual refinement.”
Engadget: Still the best streaming box by a long shot
“If you already bought last year’s Apple TV 4K for its new Siri remote, this new box probably isn’t worth the upgrade. But if you picked up an HDR10+ TV recently, it may be worth the step up, just so you’re seeing the best HDR picture possible.”
CNET (in progress): Cheaper price and new chip only go so far
“But even with the new $129 starting price, it still is one of the most expensive streamers available, and there’s not much that takes advantage of the new A15 Bionic chip. It’s hard to recommend the Apple TV 4K when Roku, Amazon and Google make excellent devices for a fraction of the price.”
“Improved over last year’s model, and more-affordable than ever, the Apple TV 4K (2022) is more compelling than before. The fastest streaming device (at least for most apps), the Apple TV 4K offers the best home screen in the industry. And while the new-look Siri offers some help, it goes a little too-big.”
CNN Underscored: The new Apple TV 4K makes the best high-end streaming device better — and cheaper
“Apple’s newest Apple TV 4K is an impressive upgrade for those who have an older Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD thanks to increased performance and a new, lower price tag. It’s the new high-end streamer to beat, but owners of last year’s Apple TV 4K model can skip for now.”
TechCrunch: The 2022 Apple TV 4K offers solid updates to the best streamer
“Was the Apple TV 4K crying out for a hardware refresh? Definitely not. The outgoing version is an excellent performer that will continue to satisfy the needs of many customers for a long time yet. But the 2022 model adds some great hardware improvements that, along with the price cut, make it a no-brainer for anyone looking to get their first Apple TV or upgrade an aging Apple TV HD model.”
“If you currently have an Apple TV 4K, there’s probably little reason for you to go out and immediately upgrade to this new version. Pretty much everything that Apple did to this new Apple TV 4K is under the hood to make it faster, smaller and more future-proof, such as supporting new technologies — a few of which aren’t widely available yet.”
Andrew Myrick is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is having a never-ending supply of different keyboards and gaming handhelds that end up collecting more dust than the consoles that are being emulated.
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