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

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Key Takeaways

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

The Apple TV 4K is well among the finest streaming gadgets 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 may miss if you happen to 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 must improve, even when my gadget is getting older an increasing number of by the day.

Relying on what you employ your Apple TV 4K for, you won’t must make the improve any time quickly both. Exterior of Apple Music, I primarily use my gadget to observe 4K content material on Max, Netflix, and different streaming apps. There are issues you’ll be able to choose up a more recent mannequin for like FaceTime, however that is not one thing that notably pursuits me, particularly since I do not even have an iPhone.

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For those who’re questioning if you happen to ought to make an improve from the first-gen and even second-gen Apple TV 4K, I do not suppose there is a notably compelling cause 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

Determine what you want and go from there

Weigh your choices

Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Apple TV 4K

One of many largest 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 gadget, I’ve the second-gen distant. It connects seamlessly, so if you wish to choose up a glossy new distant, you are able to do that. Exterior of that, there’s not lots else that catches my eye.

A giant change with the third-gen Apple TV 4K is the introduction of HDR10+ help. 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 when it comes to merchandise that really help the know-how. In case your TV makes use of HDR10+ and also you need to use it, that is a very good cause to improve to the third-gen Apple TV 4K. The next-end Samsung TV has a good likelihood of HDR10+ help, so ensure you double-check that. For those who solely have entry to Dolby Imaginative and prescient, it is accessible on all generations of the gadget, so there is no cause to tug the set off on one thing newer.

HDR10+ help is rising, however Dolby Imaginative and prescient continues to be extra widespread.

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 value. Certain, the know-how is newer within the newest technology and the gadget is almost certainly sooner than my getting older first-gen Apple TV 4K, but it surely’s not one thing I am positive is value it for round $150. As I mentioned earlier than, there’s nothing unsuitable with my present gadget, and if I am not going to make use of the brand new options, then I do not see a must make a change. Whereas smartphones really feel like they must be upgraded usually as a result of lowering efficiency, that hasn’t been the case with the Apple TV 4K, a minimum of in my expertise.

The primary-gen gadgets had been launched again in 2017, and it is nearly exceptional 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 gadgets have beefier {hardware} and extra options, however for someone who simply makes use of the gadget to observe TV and flicks, there is no cause 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 in the present day, it is extra of a buzzword than something. 4K TVs have solely not too long ago began to develop into the norm, and there are numerous folks nonetheless hanging onto their 1080p TVs. In contrast to 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 authentic Apple TV 4K is a lot sufficient, and outdoors of the HDR10+ help from the third-gen gadget, there’s not a lot of a distinction with image high quality. For some folks, the Apple TV 4K is a future-proof gadget for after they resolve to improve to 4K.

The good points that may be made come from different issues like lossless audio, FaceTime help, and gaming efficiency. Having a stronger processor seen within the newer generations could make a giant distinction for individuals who wish to connect a controller and begin gaming. Once more, it comes right down to what you intend on utilizing your gadget for. For me, these upgrades are good, however I can not envision myself ever utilizing them often, so there is no want for me to get a more recent streamer.

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Apple is not giving me a very good cause to improve

I am high quality with ready

Finally, I haven’t got lots to complain about as a result of its good Apple has given me a completely 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 probably be one thing that finally makes me improve. For gaming consoles, it is the top of help and the promise of elevated efficiency and graphics. For the Apple TV 4K, there’s been nothing of the type. Nonetheless, you will not discover me complaining a couple of consumer-friendly transfer. The Apple TV 4K nonetheless has the most recent apps, and that is nearly all I am searching for.

I perceive different folks have totally different wants, and if you happen to’re searching for one thing with extra RAM, space for storing, and higher gaming efficiency, then there is a good cause to make the leap to the most recent technology. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re like me and do not want any of that, there’s nothing unsuitable with staying with the older technology so long as it lasts. As someone who has needed to substitute electronics ahead of anticipated prior 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.