Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation) Review: The Best Streaming Player By a Mile
Apple TV is hands down the best streaming player you can buy — and the newly released third-generation Apple TV 4K is Apple’s best one yet. It brings more power and onboard features, all at a smaller size with a cheaper price tag than their previous model.
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Apple Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation)
Apple Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation)
$149 at Amazon$124 at Walmart$125 at B&H Photo
Key Specs
ChipA15 BionicStorage64/128GBCompatible withDolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG contentConnectivityWi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, Gigabit Ethernet (128GB version)Bundled withSiri remote with USB-C
I was excited to put the latest Apple TV4K to the test to determine if it was a worthy upgrade, and after many weeks of daily use, it surpassed my lofty expectations. Here are a few legit reasons why it’s the streaming player to get:
It’s More Powerful Than Any Rival
The Apple TV 4K packs the tech giant’s A15 Bionic chip — the same silicon that powers the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 13 Pro. The industry-conquering component brings 50% more CPU and 30% more GPU power over the A12 Bionic of the previous iteration.
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation) (left) is visibly smaller than its predecessor
Stefan Vazharov
When it comes to everyday use, this hardware feature will bring years’ worth of fast onscreen and Siri interactions, along with excellent gameplay capabilities. Those are enhanced further by the device’s compatibility with external gaming controllers and the stellar selection of titles in the App Store or via an Apple Arcade subscription.
Thanks to the A15 Bionic chip and its energy efficiency, the latest Apple TV 4K is much smaller and lighter than its predecessor. It’s super easy to integrate into any home entertainment setup.
It Can Connect to Any TV
Adding support for HDR10+ content ensures that the Apple TV 4K can deliver a cinematic viewing experience with any TV you use it with. It’s an especially important upgrade if you own a Samsung TV, as they don’t support Dolby Vision-enhanced content commonly available on products from other brands — allowing you to finally give an older one a platform upgrade.
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It Has the Best Remote in the Business
Save for swapping its predecessor’s Lightning connector for a more versatile USB-C, the latest Siri Remote is amazing to interact with, headlined by an incredibly sleek recycled aluminum enclosure and improved intuitive controls. I’ve been relying on MagSafe chargers to power up my iPhone and AirPods for more than a year, leaving me with USB-C as the only cable I need to charge all my tech, so not having to look for another cord to charge my Apple TV remote was refreshingly convenient during my testing.
Stefan Vazharov
You can customize and protect the Siri Remote by browsing a vast selection of protective cases and covers, just like your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Some available options include a slot for an Apple AirTag to help keep tabs on the essential accessory.
It Doubles as a Smart Home Hub
The Apple TV doubles as a powerful HomeKit Hub, allowing you to use it as a central hub to control smart products around your home, from everything from lightbulbs to thermostats. It’s always been a great perk of owning an Apple TV, but the most exciting upgrade the third generation brings is its support of the Matter smart home protocol, which makes it compatible with more connected home gadgets than ever. Apple collaborated with Amazon and Google to work on Matter, eliminating the need to look for HomeKit-compatible products and ultimately giving you more product options to connect with for your setup.
Stefan Vazharov
Best of all, other than setting the Apple TV 4K up for the first time, you don’t need to take any additional steps to tap into its smart home hub functionality. There’s also no need to install additional apps, either — adding new gear to your home now takes place directly in the Home app of your Apple device.
While testing the Apple TV 4K, I successfully added connected power outlets and Nanoleaf smart bulbs throughout my apartment. The setup process was as simple as opening the Home app and scanning a QR code with my iPhone’s camera, and it took just seconds to complete.
Wrap-Up
Remarkably, the third-generation Apple TV 4K costs less than the product it replaces. It starts at just $129 for a version with 64GB of storage, compared to the $179 launch sticker of its 32GB predecessor. I tip my hat to Apple for making the product more affordable in addition to all of its impressive feature upgrades.
A top-end costs only $20 more than the entry-level model. That’s the one I’d go for, as it also supports Thread mesh networking for next-level smart home connectivity.
Stefan Vazharov
Senior Technology Editor
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He has more than a decade of experience covering consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was previously the US editor for GSMArena.com; his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics and other Hearst publications.In the rare moments when he’s not playing with a new gadget, Stefan likes to watch live Premier League games or hang out with his cat and rabbit. He’s also an espresso snob.
