Does Apple TV really need all that power?
The main upgrade to the new Apple TV 4K is the A19 chip, the same one found in the iPhone 17. Benchmarks show a 50 percent gain in CPU speed and twice the graphics performance between the new chip and the A15 in the previous Apple TV. It’s an impressive jump, but the question is: do you really need all that power just to watch TV?
Most people who own an Apple TV don’t use it for much more than watching movies and TV shows. Apps like Netflix, YouTube or even Apple TV don’t need as much power. Even if you occasionally use AirPlay or play a light Apple Arcade game, you probably won’t have any performance issues with older Apple TV models. Sure, the A19 brings some significant improvements, including more efficient video decoding, but I have a hard time believing most people will notice this update on an Apple TV.
Even Apple is having a hard time justifying the update. In the press release announcing the new Apple TV 4K, the A19 chip is said to enable “more responsiveness, faster browsing, and smoother animations.” That doesn’t seem compelling enough to me to buy a new Apple TV. I’m all for making a faster product, but there comes a point where adding more power stops making a significant difference to the experience.
An older Apple TV 4K is very powerful for streaming.
Foundry
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The biggest problem with Apple TV is not having powerful hardware, but the cost it entails. Previous Apple TV models were already powerful enough for a streaming box, but were somewhat cheap. When it was $129, it was easy to justify buying one. But at $299, the Apple TV is getting dangerously close to the price of a full TV. For about the same price, you can buy something that comes with a big screen, built-in speakers, and access to streaming apps.
Of course, I know the experience is not the same. Cheap smart TVs often have terrible software and annoying ads. Some manufacturers also have a bad reputation when it comes to software updates. That’s why I and many others rely on Apple TV and tvOS in the first place. It makes using a TV much more enjoyable. But is that experience really worth $300? Just a few months ago, you could buy an Apple TV and a pair of HomePod minis to use as speakers for $327. Now that same amount of money will only get you the streaming box.
Of course, for those immersed in the Apple ecosystem, Apple TV still makes sense. You can use it with your HomePods and as a hub for HomeKit accessories. It becomes more than just a streaming device. The new Apple TV, for example, allows you to configure a surround sound system with four HomePods. These are all welcome additions, sure, but they also make Apple TV an even more specialized product.
