The new Apple TV 4K (ADU$449) asks one BIG question: Does a dedicated streaming box still justify a spot under your TV? We live in an era where every modern OLED and Mini-LED panel comes preloaded with its own smart TV operating system, so it's a question worth asking. Now that I've spent the past week putting the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K through its paces in my home, I have an answer.
If the previous model established itself as the class leader for snappy navigation and picture quality, smart TV platforms have spent the last few years closing the gap with native Dolby Vision, AirPlay 2, and built-in voice assistants. But with this new fourth-generation device, Apple has delivered an update that looks to reassert its dominance over the often sluggish built-in TV software.
Backed by the 3nm A19 chip, built-in far-field microphones for hands-free control, a Find My-equipped Siri Remote with Precision Finding, and an exclusive quad-HomePod surround-sound architecture, it promises to turn the streamer from a simple media player into a command centre.
I've spent the past week living with the new box as my primary entertainment hub, testing how the A19 handles everything from heavy Apple Arcade titles to high-bitrate AV1 streams, seeing whether the new far-field mic array can hear me over a movie, and I even put the new Siri AI through its paces on movie night. But before we dive into the full review, let's look at what we're dealing with here.
Visually, the box retains its sleek, fanless black unibody, but the internal overhaul is where things get serious. It's not like the previous-generation device was a slouch, but the A19 chip brings a 50 per cent faster CPU and doubles GPU performance. However, it's the dedicated AV1 hardware decoder that future-proofs this device, enabling high-bitrate HDR content streams with less data strain.
The Siri Remote now houses an internal speaker and Precision Finding so you never lose it between the couch cushions again. Most of all, I wanted to test out the expanded four-speaker surround sound setup, which connects to matching pairs of HomePods mini 2 and HomePods (2nd generation).
Inside the Apple TV app, where personalised Continue Watching queues and curated recommendations update automatically when switching between household user profiles | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many 30-Second Apple TV 4K Verdict Pros: A19 silicon delivers 50% faster CPU speeds, 2x graphics performance, and fluid tvOS animations.
Dedicated AV1 decoding ensures efficient playback of high-bitrate HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. Three built-in far-field microphones enable hands-free voice control without touching the remote. Hardware-level Secure Exclaves process voice requests locally. Upgraded Siri Remote integrates Find My with Precision Finding and an audible speaker.
Exclusive quad-HomePod surround sound pairs front and rear stereo channels and calibrates them. Cons: Price is ludicrous. Siri AI personal context requires a separate Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad in the home. Multi-speaker surround sound demands strict matching speaker pairs (front and rear). Remote Precision Finding requires an iPhone 17 or later, iPhone Air, or iPhone Duo.
No HDMI 2.1 cable is bundled in the retail packaging. Should You Buy the Apple TV 4K? Yes. If you value a fluid, ad-free streaming interface, reference-grade Dolby Vision and HDR10+ visual output, and tight integration with Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, and smart home cameras, this…
