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

Key Takeaways

Hold your first-gen Apple TV 4K: it is quick, snappy, and has no main lacking options to date.
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 definitely the most effective streaming units 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 may miss when you 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 system is getting older increasingly by the day.

Relying on what you employ your Apple TV 4K for, you may not must make the improve any time quickly both. Exterior 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 may choose 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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When you’re questioning when you ought to make an improve from the first-gen and even second-gen Apple TV 4K, I do not assume there is a notably compelling motive 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 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 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 system, 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 quite a bit 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, nevertheless it’s lagging behind in recognition. As of proper now, Dolby Imaginative and prescient is way forward when it comes to merchandise that truly help the know-how. In case your TV makes use of HDR10+ and also you wish to use it, that is a superb motive to improve to the third-gen Apple TV 4K. The next-end Samsung TV has a good likelihood of HDR10+ help, so be sure to double-check that. When you solely have entry to Dolby Imaginative and prescient, it is obtainable on all generations of the system, so there isn’t any motive to drag the set off on one thing newer.

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

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. Positive, the know-how is newer within the newest era and the system is probably sooner than my getting older first-gen Apple TV 4K, nevertheless it’s not one thing I am positive is price it for round $150. As I mentioned 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 should 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 units 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 units have beefier {hardware} and extra options, however for any individual who simply makes use of the system to look at TV and flicks, there isn’t any motive 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 this time, it is extra of a buzzword than something. 4K TVs have solely just lately began to change into the norm, and there are various 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 finest image. The unique Apple TV 4K is loads sufficient, and outdoors of the HDR10+ help from the third-gen system, there’s not a lot of a distinction with image high quality. For some folks, the Apple TV 4K is a future-proof system for once they resolve to improve to 4K.

The positive factors 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 prefer to connect a controller and begin gaming. Once more, it comes right down to what you propose on utilizing your system for. For me, these upgrades are good, however I can not envision myself ever utilizing them often, so there isn’t any want for me to get a more moderen streamer.

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Apple is not giving me a superb motive to improve

I am wonderful with ready

Finally, I haven’t got quite a bit to complain about as a result of its good Apple has given me a totally feature-rich product that is nonetheless working seven years later. You do not all the time see electronics with lengthy lifespans like this, and often, there can be one thing that ultimately makes me improve. For gaming consoles, it is the tip 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 on the lookout for.

I perceive different folks have completely different wants, and when you’re on the lookout for one thing with extra RAM, cupboard space, and higher gaming efficiency, then there is a good motive to make the leap to the most recent era. Nonetheless, when you’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 earlier than anticipated up 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 reap the benefits of what Apple’s streaming field has to supply.