As a TV enthusiast, I was hoping for more from the Apple TV 4K
A review of the new Apple TV 4K highlights its improved processing power and AV1 support, but criticizes its high $300 price point. The author notes that while some features are welcome, the device lacks enough innovation to justify the cost compared to competitors.
Why it matters
The high price of premium streaming hardware reflects a shift in the home entertainment market toward ecosystem-locked, high-end devices.
It’s been four long years since the last Apple TV 4K was released, and in that time there have been lots of hopes and dreams for features in whatever comes next. A new chip, 4K/120Hz support, audio passthrough, a remote locator, better home control integration — the 2022 Apple TV 4K is a great box, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement. With the fourth-gen Apple TV 4K announced on Tuesday, some of those hopes were met, while others were unfortunately left out.
Coloring the announcement is the device’s price. Apple eliminated the cheaper 64GB, Wi-Fi-only model, leaving just the 128GB, Wi-Fi and Ethernet model — and bumped up its price to $300. I repeat, $300 for a streaming device. It’s a hefty price when every other major streamer on the market is at least half the cost.
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