As a TV enthusiast, I expected more from the Apple TV 4K
It has been four long years since the latest Apple TV 4K was released, and back then there were high hopes for what future models would bring. A new chip, 4K/120Hz support, audio passthrough, a remote finder, and better smart-home control: the 2022 Apple TV 4K is an excellent box, […]
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The new Apple TV 4K streaming box has a hefty price tag and doesn't add the desired home theater features.
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The new Apple TV 4K and remote control look just like the old ones and have mostly the same features.
is a senior critic covering television and audio. He has more than 20 years of experience in AV and was previously on the staff of Digital Trends and Reviewed.
It's been four long years since the last Apple TV 4K launch, and in that time there have been many hopes and dreams for the features of whatever comes next. A new chip, 4K/120Hz support, audio passthrough, remote locator, better home control integration - Apple TV 4K 2022 is a good box, but there's still plenty of room for improvement. With the introduction of the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K on Tuesday, some of those hopes were fulfilled, while others were sadly abandoned.
The coloring is the price announcement of the device. Apple ditched the cheaper 64GB, Wi-Fi-only model, leaving only the 128GB, Wi-Fi and Ethernet model — bringing the price down to $300. I repeat, $300 for a streaming device. That's a pretty steep price when every other major player on the market costs at least half the price.
There are some new features about this year's Apple TV 4K that I like. More processing power is great—though my 3rd generation is still quite fast—as is Find My support for when the remote inevitably gets lost in sofa cushions or wrapped in blankets. The built-in far-field mics are also good for talking to Siri, provided you don't put the box in a credenza like I do. The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K also adds a dedicated AV1 decoder, which allows for higher-quality streaming from programs that support it, such as Netflix, which is great. Any potential improvements to the flow of content would be welcome.
My main concern is how the Apple TV 4K will perform as an integral part of my home theater. Apple added the ability to create a surround sound system using HomePod 2 and HomePod Mini 2 smart speakers in pairs for front and surround. For fans of the Apple ecosystem looking to build a surround setup similar to Sonos or Bose, this is an interesting idea (and I'm all for getting people into surround sound in their home theater). But as I expect is the same for many people interested in expensive streaming hardware, I already have a sound system – it's an Atmos setup with a mix of SVS and Revel speakers. I'm not going to set up my two HomePod 2s in my living room and spend another $300 on a pair of HomePod Mini 2s to replace my current speakers.
Apple TV 4K pairs with up to four HomePods (like the Mini 2 here) for surround sound.
What I and many current users have come to expect from Apple TV 4K this year is the addition of audio passthrough. This allows my more expensive and more capable audio/video receiver to decode the raw audio stream instead of the Apple TV using a continuous audio connection, which can cause some playback issues.
Additionally, it was nice to see Apple support 120fps output, especially for those using Moonlight to stream games on it. This is what sets the Apple TV 4K apart from all the other 60fps streamers out there and helps justify the high price. Apple could also use it to focus more on televised gaming. (For movies, of course, the 60fps limit isn't too much, as the box can be set to output 24fps, which allows a 120Hz TV to only use the 5:5 stretch mode.)
Another premium feature that sets Apple's streaming box apart and makes home theater enthusiasts pay for it is an HDMI input for HDMI pass-through or digital optical output. If it means more price hikes, I know I'll ditch them. This box is already expensive enough. But Apple puts the 4K TV in an uncomfortable position, pairing an expensive price with features largely matched elsewhere for much less.
Are these high-level omissions a concern for the majority of people? not really But those people look at the $300 price tag of the Apple TV 4K, and then look at streaming devices from Google, Roku, or Amazon, all of which are half that price or less. The Apple TV 4K is considered a top-of-the-line player as an option, but the outrageous price right now gives me pause without some admittedly special features.
Maybe the new Apple TV 4K will surprise me. I've certainly been looking forward to it for a while. I already appreciate the way Apple handles privacy, and if Apple adds more features in the coming months, it might be worth it. But this price of 300 dollars? You may be better off spending your home theater setup elsewhere.
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