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

Key Takeaways

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

The Apple TV 4K is well probably the greatest 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 reap the benefits of Dolby Atmos on Apple Music, one thing you will miss for those who 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 never felt any must improve, even when my system is ageing increasingly more by the day.

Relying on what you utilize your Apple TV 4K for, you may not must make the improve any time quickly both. Outdoors of Apple Music, I primarily use my system to look at 4K content material on Max, Netflix, and different streaming apps. There are issues you’ll be able to decide up a more moderen 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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If you happen to’re questioning for those who 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 remains to be fast and snappy, and there is not any function I am dying to have moreover what I have already got in entrance of me. The most important 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

Work out what you want and go from there

Weigh your choices

Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Apple TV 4K

One of many greatest 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 system, I’ve the second-gen distant. It connects seamlessly, so if you wish to decide up a modern new distant, you are able to do that. Outdoors of that, there’s not quite a bit else that catches my eye.

An enormous change with the third-gen Apple TV 4K is the introduction of HDR10+ assist. This model of HDR is a competitor to Dolby Imaginative and prescient, nevertheless it’s lagging behind in recognition. As of proper now, Dolby Imaginative and prescient is much forward when it comes to merchandise that really assist the expertise. In case your TV makes use of HDR10+ and also you wish 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 probability of HDR10+ assist, so be sure you double-check that. If you happen to solely have entry to Dolby Imaginative and prescient, it is accessible on all generations of the system, so there is no cause to drag the set off on one thing newer.

HDR10+ assist is rising, however Dolby Imaginative and prescient remains to be extra in style.

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 worth. Certain, the expertise is newer within the newest era and the system is almost certainly quicker than my ageing first-gen Apple TV 4K, nevertheless it’s not one thing I am certain is value it for round $150. As I stated earlier than, there’s nothing mistaken with my present system, 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 need to be upgraded usually as a result of reducing efficiency, that hasn’t been the case with the Apple TV 4K, no less than in my expertise.

The primary-gen gadgets had been launched again in 2017, and it is virtually remarkable 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 any individual who simply makes use of the system to look at TV and films, there is no cause to make a change.

The primary era 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 at the moment, it is extra of a buzzword than something. 4K TVs have solely lately began to turn out to be the norm, and there are numerous individuals 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 would not want beefy {hardware} to provide the finest image. The unique Apple TV 4K is lots sufficient, and outdoors of the HDR10+ assist from the third-gen system, there’s not a lot of a distinction with image high quality. For some individuals, the Apple TV 4K is a future-proof system for after they resolve to improve to 4K.

The beneficial properties that may be made come from different issues like lossless audio, FaceTime assist, and gaming efficiency. Having a stronger processor seen within the newer generations could make an enormous 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 system for. For me, these upgrades are good, however I am unable to envision myself ever utilizing them repeatedly, so there is no want for me to get a more moderen streamer.

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Apple is not giving me a very good cause to improve

I am superb with ready

In the end, I haven’t got quite a bit 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 likely be one thing that finally makes me improve. For gaming consoles, it is the top of assist and the promise of elevated efficiency and graphics. For the Apple TV 4K, there’s been nothing of the kind. Nonetheless, you will not discover me complaining a few consumer-friendly transfer. The Apple TV 4K nonetheless has the newest apps, and that is nearly all I am searching for.

I perceive different individuals have totally different wants, and for those who’re searching for one thing with extra RAM, cupboard space, and higher gaming efficiency, then there is a good cause to make the leap to the newest era. Nonetheless, for those who’re like me and do not want any of that, there’s nothing mistaken with staying with the older era so long as it lasts. As any individual who has needed to exchange electronics ahead of anticipated previously, 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 reap the benefits of what Apple’s streaming field has to supply.