Apple TV 4K 2022 Review

The Apple TV 4K (2022) is one of the most luxurious streaming devices out there and fortunately, it is more accessible and affordable. In addition, the performance has improved courtesy of the A15 Bionic chip. TechTrends decided to write an Apple TV 4K 2022 review, which is based on Tomsguide’s tests and analyzing.

The speed, Apple ecosystem integration and streamlined, no-ads interface makes the 2022 model of Apple TV a high quality one that cannot be compared with the 2021. In the Apple TV 4K 2022 review, you will see how the use of A15 SoC helped this streaming device become one of the fastest ones in the market. Then, you can decide whether you need an upgrade for your house or not. You might even decide to change from Roku, Fire TV or the Chromecast since the Apple TV 4K is another level despite the hefty price tag.

There are plenty of reasons that can convince you to opt for this streaming device. Among them are its A15 Bionic chip, a USB-C port on the remote control, as well as an excellent gaming performance that makes it a great addition to your house. Now let’s get to it; here is the Apple TV 4K 2022 review.

Apple TV 4K 2022 Review

Although it is not the first 4K-compatible box that Apple company released, it is definitely the best. It is faster, smaller in size and cheaper. You might wonder whether you should invest in this as you first Apple box or whether you need an upgrade. Read on to find out.

Apple TV 4K 2022 Review: Price and Release Date

Source: Tomsguide

The price of Apple TV 4K 2022 begins at $129 for the 64GB Wi-Fi only model. There is also a $149 Wi-Fi + Ethernet model, with a storage of 128GB, which was tested by Tomsguide. For those who need to have Thread network support, we recommend the $149 model. Just keep in mind that this is important for the smart homes’ future. Despite being a little expensive, it is the biggest upgrade in this model.

However, it does not have an HDMI cable. Therefore, you have to go out and buy one if you do not have it already. Apple might argue that not including one equals less e-waste, but it does sell one separately. Apple TV 4K 2022 came our on November 4, 2022.

Read more: Best MacBook in 2022

Apple TV 4K 2022 Review: Design and Ports

Source: Tomsguide

In this section of the Apple TV 4K 2022 review, we will look at this model’s design and ports. Those who have keen eyes will notice that there are four small changes made compared with the previous Apple TV 4K. The 2022 model is smaller – 3.7 x 3.7 x 1.2 inches – while the 2021 is 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.4 inches. The branding was also made smaller in the upgrade version, omitting the TV from it. Therefore, there is only an Apple logo on it.

Source: Tomsguide

The entry-level model’s power and HDMI ports are situated on its back whereas in the $149 Wi-Fi + Ethernet model, an Ethernet port is put on the back. This Ethernet port is Gigabit, which is much faster compared with the 10/100 Mbps ports on other brands on the market, such as Roku Ultra and Fire TV Cube.

Source: Tomsguide

The Apple TV 4K really needs a USB-C port on its back as it will be useful for charging Siri Remote as well as webcam integrations if there is an upgrade for group-watches using FaceTime SharePlay. Since Amazon decided to include an extra HDMI port to the Fire TV Cube, then many expect streaming devices of more than $100 have to offer that to users who have many gaming consoles ad well as a DVD player.

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Apple TV 4K 2022 Review: Remote

This streaming device has a Siri Remote included in its package, which is somehow identical to last year’s model. The major difference between them is that its charger is USB-C compared with Lightning. Moreover, the touchpad interface was replaced with directional buttons, right below the power button. In order to swipe navigations, there is a touchpad-like input designed on the surface. Apple likes to include a minimalist amount of buttons on its remote controls.

Following that, there is ‘back’ and ‘TV’ buttons, with the latter also able to be a ‘home’ button should you not live inside the TV app. If you double click on the TV button, an app-switcher model will come on. After that, you have play/pause, mute, and volume controls. You also have a Siri button on the side, which appears as if it is hidden. It is not known why Apple decided to put it there. This might be because Siri is not a beloved voice assistant compared with Google Assistant and Alexa.

Source: Tomsguide

Moreover, the Apple TV 4K 2022 included another treat in its ecosystem. You can easily find the iOS Apple TV remote with the Control Center in iOS. In other words, you can simply swipe and tap to turn you iPhone into a remote control. However, it does not support Apple’s Find My technology, which is a shame.

Apple TV 4K 2022 Review: Performance

In addition to the price upgrade Apple TV 4K 2022 offered, the Apple A15 Bionic chip is a great replacement for the A12 Bionic chip used in the previous model. This chip is the same that iPhone 14, iPad mini, and iPhone SE are running on. Moreover, it is faster in comparison with the A14 and A13, which is used in the iPad 2022 and the iPad 2021.

Maybe Apple has more plant for this streaming device than simply gaming and streaming. According to Apple, this chip is able to offer about 50% faster CPU performance, around 30% faster GPU performance, as well as approximately 20% faster app load time when compared with the 2021 Apple TV Plus. The loading time of Netflix was around 1 second, while YouTube was loaded in 2 seconds, which is impressive. Others are mentioned on the table, so let’s take a look at it.

Header Cell – Column 0 Apple TV 4K 2022 Apple TV 4K 2021
Netflix 1 4
YouTube 2 3
Disney Plus 4 6
Peacock 6 6
HBO Max 7 9
Sling 12 13
Spotify 3 4
Dead Cells 7 8
Pathless 18 20

About the gaming performance, smoothness has been improved courtesy of the A15 chip.

Source: Tomsguide

Apple TV 4K 2022 Review: Audio and Video

Source: Tomsguide

In this section of the Apple TV 4K 2022 review, we will talk about audio and video quality. The details shown on it are impressively clear thanks to Dolby Vision. In addition, a big change in the quality of picture came when Apple TV 4K decided to include the support of HDR10+, which is he metadata-driven standard for better contrast. While some TVs support it, others don’t. No matter what, it is an impressive feature. It is currently used in Amazon Prime Video content, Blu-rays as well as Apple TV app.

In addition, you can use your AirPods with this streaming device. You should simply put on your headphones, tap the TV button and you will get to listen wirelessly.

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Apple TV 4K 2022 Review: Interface

Source: Tomsguide

One of the reason that the Apple TV 4K costs more is due to its tvOS. This is a way cleaner interface as opposed to the competitors. Its home screen has an all-apps approach; therefore, you can fill your screen with more than 20 apps. Other competitors on the market might show up a smaller number of apps. This is a great feature for those who pay for many of the best streaming services and use other apps as well.

However, Apple can develop that section as it only mentions live TV in the app regarding sports games. While other devices might have menus showing on-device storage for you to manage pending app updates with only one click, Apple tvOS just demonstrates how much space the apps are using and requires you to search the app in the app store to update it. It is strange that this option is not included when considering what the brand does with app updates in iOS and macOS.

Apple TV 4K 2022 Review: Search and Siri

Source: Tomsguide

It is not difficult to find stuff on the Apple TV 4K 2022 as you can simply ask Siri to help you with whatever you are looking for. Apple has shown its latest try with Siri in its latest version of tvOS. It was upgraded and refreshed. When playing a movie, if you ask Siri “who stars in this movie”, which is not a common phrase, it brings on the cast members in a menu that covers less than half of the screen. However, since Apple and Netflix do not get along, if you ask the same question about a Netflix movie playing, it becomes annoyingly unresponsive.

Read more: Best Gaming TVs for 2022

Apple TV 4K 2022 Review: Apps, Games and More

You can find any app you need on the Apple TV 4K 2022 app store. In addition to all the best streaming services, Apple TV 4K allows you to do Apple Fitness Plus workouts. Moreover, you can share photo albums on the iCloud Photo Library. And, you can sing with the music using Apple Music’s lyrics.

You can also access Spotify, Twitch, Criterion Channel, Vimeo and many more. Moreover, there are games, but there might be a lack of games that are impressive.

Apple TV 4K 2022 Review: Verdict

The 2022 version of the Apple TV 4K makes this best streaming device even better. However, it does it in a very important method. Since the price is lower, it is more accessible now. While Apple’s Ethernet is faster, the other model will also do as the strongest feature of this model is interface.

Read more: Best LG TVs in 2022

Final Thoughts

Although there might not be a very obvious change between generations of Apple TV 4K, when you look at them side to side, there is a slight difference. The predecessor is not only a little larger. However, it is also a bit heaver compared with the Apple TV 4K 2022. Since the box is compact, you can put it anywhere you want. You can see an HDMI 2.1 port on the back, a power cable place, as well as an Ethernet port for the more expensive model.

Those who already have the former Apple TV 4K may not need to upgrade, particularly as they have the Gigabit Ethernet. People who have last year’s model might just need to think about the Apple TV 4K 2022 if they lack space.

However, if you have the Roku, Fire TV or Chromecast, we suggest opting for the Apple TV 4K 2022 as you will love it. The performance is top notch and other experiences are just as amazing. However, make sure you have a spare HDMI cable. And, do not misplace the remote as Siri is not that helpful.

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