Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
VERDICT
In a world of cheap streaming sticks cluttered with ads, the Apple TV 4K is a breath of fresh air. It is incredibly fast, respects your privacy, and acts as a robust Smart Home Hub (Thread/Matter). If you are in the Apple ecosystem, this is a non-negotiable purchase.
The Big Picture
Smart TV interfaces (like Tizen or WebOS) eventually get slow and laggy. The Apple TV 4K never does. Powered by the A15 Bionic chip, it loads apps instantly. It also supports Spatial Audio with head tracking (using AirPods), making late-night movie watching an immersive cinema experience that doesn't wake the neighbors.
🎨 Color Balance
The Magic: You don't need to be a professional calibrator.
How it works: Hold your iPhone's camera up to the TV screen. The Apple TV uses the phone's sensors to measure the color output and automatically adjusts the settings to give you perfect, natural colors. It takes 10 seconds.
🏠 Smart Home Hub (Matter)
It runs your home.
Thread Border Router: The 128GB version acts as a Thread Border Router. This means it connects your smart locks, lights, and sensors directly, making your smart home faster and more reliable, even if the Wi-Fi goes down.
✅ The Pros
- No Ads: The interface is clean and premium.
- A15 Chip: Overkill performance; handles Apple Arcade games effortlessly.
- Siri Remote: USB-C charging and touch-sensitive clickpad.
- Ecosystem: Seamless switching with AirPods and iPhone remote.
❌ The Cons
- Price: Much more expensive than a Fire Stick or Chromecast.
- HDMI Cable: Not included in the box (classic Apple).
- Android Users: Loses half its magic if you don't have an iPhone.
🤔 Should you buy it?
YES if you use an iPhone. It is the best streaming box ever made, period.
NO if you use Android (get the Nvidia Shield TV Pro instead).
See the showdown: Apple TV 4K vs. Nvidia Shield TV Pro Comparison