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Apple’s offering assumes you’re already within their ecosystem of laptops, smartphones, and tablets and features tight integration of those services and extend the functionality to the Apple TV.

Apple TV 4K

The Apple TV 4K is a premium streaming device in terms of presentation. The user interface and the user experience have been finely tuned to create a streamlined multimedia device that is at once familiar to iPhone users. Supported resolutions are the standard 4K or 2160p. Dolby Atmos is also supported, mirroring Apple’s massive push towards tighter integration of Atmos.

Services

Apple TV 4K offers an app for every major streaming service on the market. If you’re looking for Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and others, they’re all present and have a bespoke app for the Apple TV.

Those who are looking to leverage some form of gaming have access to Apple Arcade for additional monthly rates. This offers up a plethora of steadily growing exclusive games you can also access on the iPhone and iPad.

The tight integration of Apple Fitness+ is also present, allowing your TV to act as a central hub for a variety of experiences beyond just films and music.

Drawbacks

There is the underlying assumption when purchasing the Apple TV 4K that you are already deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem. It permeates through every facet of the device and doesn’t really provide a platform-agnostic experience for those who are seeking one.

There is support for additional video purchasing services like Prime Video, of course, but it isn’t deeply integrated and at the forefront like Apple’s own offerings through their marketplace. If you aren’t part of the ecosystem and have zero Apple devices, this can be a bit tough to recommend.

The user experience is greatly enhanced by a more than passing familiarity with the way Apple structures and handles its devices. AirPlay and Siri integration are a natural extension for Apple’s devices, so if you’re an Android user you might find yourself wanting something a little more enriched towards your mobile device preferences.

  • Our fastest-ever streaming media player - Brings lightning-fast app starts with an octa-core processor and is 2X as powerful as Fire TV Stick 4K Max.Hands-free Alexa with built-in mic and speakers - Control your compatible TV, soundbar, and receivers with your voice, even from across the room.Seamlessly navigate between your entertainment - Connect compatible devices and easily go from streaming to your cable box, game console, or webcam.Smoother streaming with the latest in wifi tech - The first-ever streaming media player that features Wi-Fi 6E support.Picture quality that puts on a show - Feel every scene with true-to-life, cinematic 4K and support for Dolby Vision, HDR, and Dolby Atmos audio.

The ethos behind the device greatly differs from the Apple offering, however, with more deeply integrated advertising and marketing materials permeating through multiple layers of the user experience.

4K resolution is natively supported, which is only a boon as televisions supporting the resolution become more affordable. Like Apple, there is also support for Dolby Atmos, signaling the push towards a different paradigm and implementation of surround sound and directional audio processing.

On-board storage is also lacking compared to the 64 and 128 GB offerings from Apple. Considering the price range these devices occupy, it makes it a little less enticing to consider the paltry local storage.

So, with all this in mind, which is the best choice? These are both more than capable streaming devices intended to be the center of your media experience. There are certainly some similarities between the two in terms of capabilities and media support. It really does depend on what you’re after in a streaming device, however.

Why Should You Get the Apple TV?

Native integration of fitness telemetry and functionality is a great boon. There is also the lack of advertisements on multiple levels, where you’ll only really see new releases on the store pages.

The ample local storage and extensive support for other Apple devices make it a great choice, and will certainly serve your home media center well.

Which One Is Better?

For the money, the Apple TV 4K gets a strong recommendation. It offers a far more premium experience in terms of user experience while also being a friendly and approachable device to use.