Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)

Source

The Verge

Key Takeaways

• Canonically greedy segmentation: the base $129 SKU completely drops Gigabit Ethernet and Thread, crippling high-bitrate streaming over weak Wi-Fi.
• Touch surface on the clickpad is hyper-sensitive; accidentally brushing it skips playback timelines forwards or backwards by minutes.
• Severely handicapped in mixed-platform households: lacks Google Cast support and has zero web browser for casual browsing.
• Powered by a monstrous A15 Bionic processor, yet Apple Arcade has virtually zero flagship AAA console ports to actually utilize it.

✅ Pros

• Blisteringly fast tvOS interface completely free of tacky banner ads
• Automatic matching for dynamic range and framerate ensures purist playback
• Compact fanless chassis runs dead silent in your entertainment console

❌ Cons

• Base model greedily strips out Ethernet and Thread smart home radio
• Clickpad touch surface is overly finicky and triggers accidental jumps
• Zero interoperability with Android casting standards
• Overpowered A15 chip wasted on casual mobile puzzle games

📝 Verdict

"The finest ad-free streaming experience on the planet marred by cheapskate port cutting on the base model."

Source

• Video: Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) Review - 6 Months Later
• Channel: 6 Months Later | Type: Review after six months of use | Based on: YouTube transcript (fetched with youtube-transcript-api)

Key points

• He thinks the top reason to choose the Apple TV 4K over a TV's built-in system is the software experience: the A15 Bionic chip far outclasses the processors in most smart TVs and is still smooth after half a year; and a streaming box can be replaced on its own without replacing the TV.
• For picture quality it supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+; if your TV doesn't support Dolby Vision, you can also calibrate color with a Face ID–equipped iPhone. Setup is done just by bringing an iPhone close.
• AirPlay can send TV audio in sync to HomePods and Sonos speakers in multiple rooms; you can also pair two HomePods for Dolby Atmos, but he thinks dialogue clarity still falls short of real left/center/right speakers or a soundbar, and doesn't recommend buying HomePods just for this.
• Siri is very useful: asking "what did he just say" rewinds 15 seconds and briefly turns on subtitles; it can also run a Home app "watch TV" scene and control your smart home.
• He recommends it to everyone, whether or not they use Apple products. Owners of the older model should only upgrade if they want HDR10+, and if you just want the new remote you can buy it separately. Most people only need the Wi-Fi model; those who can run an Ethernet cable, or who have no HomePod at home but want to use Thread devices, should choose the version with Ethernet and Thread.

✅ Pros

• The A15 chip stays smooth over long-term use
• Supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+
• Useful AirPlay multiroom audio and Siri
• Good smart home integration

❌ Cons

• HomePod surround sound falls short of dedicated speakers
• Limited incentive for owners of the older model to upgrade
• Thread and Ethernet only on the pricier model

📝 Verdict

Still the most recommended streaming device after half a year: its performance, picture quality and ecosystem features suit everyone, and the Wi-Fi model is enough for most people.

Source

• Video: NEW Apple TV 4K review (2022) - why YOU NEED it.
• Channel: Nikias Molina | Type: Launch review (2022) | Based on: YouTube transcript (fetched with youtube-transcript-api)

Key points

• Many people question whether an Apple TV is still needed in the era of smart TVs and cheap streaming sticks; he thinks the answer is yes.
• The new model uses the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13 Pro, so it stays smooth for years even on an old TV; the body is about 20% thinner and now fanless (the previous model had a fan).
• He thinks the biggest highlight is actually the price: the US starting price drops to $129 while storage doubles.
• Experience: 4K, HDR, high frame rates and Dolby Atmos look and sound great; paired with two HomePods in stereo, the sound is loud and clear; the outer touch ring on the USB-C Siri Remote can be spun to scrub forward or back quickly; asking Siri "what did he just say" rewinds and turns on subtitles; when you need to type, you can do it right on your iPhone.
• Apple Fitness+ shows Apple Watch workout data on screen, Apple Music can display live lyrics on the TV, Apple Arcade works with game controllers such as the PS5's, and all the major streaming services are available.

✅ Pros

• The A15 chip is smooth and future-proof
• Fanless, lighter and thinner
• Lower starting price with double the storage
• Convenient Siri Remote and iPhone text input

❌ Cons

• Smart TVs and cheap streaming sticks already meet some people's needs

📝 Verdict

A living-room essential for Apple users: if you value smoothness and ecosystem integration, the Apple TV 4K is still the best TV experience.

Source

• Video: Apple TV 4K Review (2022)
• Channel: Digital Trends | Type: Full review (at its 2022 launch) | Based on: YouTube transcript (fetched with youtube-transcript-api)

Key points

• Apple quietly launched two new Apple TV 4K models with lower starting prices; not much changed on paper, but he thinks "not much change" is exactly the good news.
• In practice, apps open faster than on the second generation and much faster than the old HD model; Apple included a PS5 controller with the review unit, and he speculates the stronger chip and bigger storage are for future gaming plans, and also sees it becoming a smart-home hub.
• Strengths: an interface with almost no ads, excellent cross-platform search, and consistently the best audio and video quality in every app; Apple users also get integrations such as SharePlay, Siri via AirPods, audio sharing, screen calibration with an iPhone, AirPlay, HomeKit, and Apple Fitness+ showing your rings on screen.
• He especially praises head-tracked Spatial Audio with AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Max, which he considers the best personal listening experience for watching movies at home right now, the closest to cinema Dolby Atmos.
• The NVIDIA Shield Pro has more features and the Chromecast is more portable, but overall the Apple TV 4K is the smartest, most advanced and most long-lasting streaming box, suitable for most people.

✅ Pros

• An interface with almost no ads, and excellent cross-platform search
• The best audio and video quality in every app
• Deep Apple ecosystem integration
• An excellent AirPods Spatial Audio experience

❌ Cons

• Less breadth of features than the NVIDIA Shield Pro
• Less portable than the Chromecast
• Few hardware changes

📝 Verdict

The streaming box that will last the longest: the Apple TV 4K doesn't try to please everyone, but almost everything it does, it does better than the rest.