Technology1 min read

The pricey new Apple TV 4K is still the best streamer around

By · Via The Verge · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K keeps the physical design, ports, and interface of its 2022 predecessor while upgrading internally to the A19 chip. Along with doubling base storage to 128GB, the device introduces support for a four-HomePod surround sound setup alongside Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The bundled aluminum USB-C remote now incorporates Find My tracking technology that can trigger audible sounds. Despite using networked iPhones or iPads for personalized recommendations, the new Siri AI features struggled with occasional answer retrieval issues during testing.

Key points

  • The streaming box supports an expanded audio setup utilizing up to four connected HomePod…: The streaming box supports an expanded audio setup utilizing up to four connected HomePod speakers.
  • Networked iPhones and iPads supply contextual data to power the updated Siri AI recommend…: Networked iPhones and iPads supply contextual data to power the updated Siri AI recommendation system.
  • Early testing indicates that the integrated Siri voice assistant still suffers from incon…: Early testing indicates that the integrated Siri voice assistant still suffers from inconsistent answer retrieval.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

I’m sitting in front of my TV, puppy nuzzled up next to me, with four HomePods spread around my living room — two flanking my TV and one at either end of my couch — connected to the brand new Apple TV 4K. Young Anakin Skywalker hits the throttle and flies through the room. There hasn’t been an Apple surround sound system until now, and since it was announced, I was excited to try it out. And let me tell you, watching a pod race with an all-Apple audio setup is a whole lot of fun.

The pricey new Apple TV 4K is still the best streamer around

Apple knows how to make a great streaming box to be the center of your home theater, but there are some misses with the new model.

If you buy something from a link, The Verge may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Surround sound across four HomePods is one of the flagship features of the fourth-gen Apple TV 4K, which is out tomorrow for $300. It’s an expensive streaming box —…

Technology