When you think of Apple devices, the iPhone probably comes to mind first. Then you might look at the iP.Display or Apple Watch, followed by AirPods and the MacBook. This order depends on who you talk to, but I bet the majority of people wouldn’t name Apple’s streaming device first.
The Apple TV 4K is a bit of an underdog, though, and while it’s essentially a streaming box – and a pretty good one at that – there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. That’s especially true for Apple users, where owning an Apple TV unlocks a number of extra features on your TV that can be extremely useful in the right home.
Apple TV 4K review: At a glance
AppleTV4K
Disadvantages
- Expensive compared to other options
- Must be visible and not hidden behind the TV
- Better for Apple users
The most important specifications at a glance
| Outputs and connections | HDMI output, Ethernet (depending on model) |
|---|---|
| Streaming services | All major UK streaming services (some better integrated than others) |
| Maximum resolution | 4K |
| Mass | 9.3×9.3×3.1cm |
| Weight | 208g – 214g |
Apple TV 4K review
The interface is as sleek and fluid as it gets when it comes to streaming services. Amazon’s Fire TV Stick and Google Chromecast with Google TV may both cost half as much as the Apple TV 4K—and they don’t really need to be flaunted—but I wouldn’t call either interface particularly user-friendly, let alone sleek.
Apple TV 4K runs on the tvOS operating system, just as an iPhone runs on iOS and an iPad runs on iPadOS, and it has a tendency to promote Apple’s content with Apple TV+. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though; if you haven’t seen Ted Lasso or The morning showboth are more than worth filling your Saturday night.
The Apple TV also supports live TV and a variety of video streaming services: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Now, BBC iPlayer, All 4, to name a few. Some are better integrated than others, allowing you to add them to an “Up Next” bar at the top of the Apple TV home screen that presets all the shows and movies you might be watching or want to watch on different platforms at once.
Those that are less integrated (ahem, Netflix, ahem) simply offer access to the respective streaming apps like you find on Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast.
Apple TV 4K review: Performance
In terms of performance, without getting too technical, the Apple TV 4K packs a very powerful processor into its black cube-shaped design. It’s the same processor found in the iPhone 14, but that means a very smooth experience in use, support for future software updates and features (like Snoopy screensavers later this year), and the additional features currently available on top of watching shows.
If you just want to stream the latest Disney+ shows, movies you’ve bought from iTunes, or Netflix, the Apple TV 4K is for you (albeit at a higher price than other streamers). It supports all the HDR formats you’d expect, from HDR10+ to Dolby Vision, and there’s good support in the audio department too, with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio both on board.
Technical jargon aside, from a visual and audio perspective, that means the Apple TV 4K is excellent. But that’s not necessarily why you’re buying it.
Apple TV 4K review: Features
The reason you’d buy Apple TV 4K and pay twice as much as most streamers is because of the many other features it offers, and that’s especially true for Apple users. Being able to view your photos on your TV and flip through your vacation pictures with family and friends on a big screen is a fantastic (and easy) experience.
FaceTime is also supported. You can connect it to your iPhone or iPad and cast audio and video to your TV, which is great. There is nothing better than seeing your loved ones on a big screen. The only better exception is the VisionPro in my experience.
The Apple TV remote, which is adorable as far as remotes go, has its own Siri button on the edge and supports voice recognition for up to six family members. It offers personalized recommendations depending on who asks Siri what to watch. You can also ask Siri to turn on subtitles, rewind a scene, or ask any other burning questions you may have.
Of the additional features, however, I probably like Fitness+ on Apple TV the most. The fitness platform offers a range of workouts for all ages and ability levels, and is much easier to follow on TV than on iPhone or iPad, as there’s a nice big screen showing you exactly what to do.
If you have an Apple Watch, your metrics will also be displayed in the corner of your TV, so you can’t avoid putting in some effort. If you haven’t tried Fitness+ yet, I encourage you to do so, as it’s much less intimidating than some other platforms on the market.
I’ve only scratched the surface of what an Apple TV offers in terms of extras, but chances are you won’t be disappointed with the purchase. That’s especially true if you’re an Apple user and the extra features sound appealing.
Good Housekeeping’s verdict on the Apple TV 4K
It’s expensive compared to other streaming sticks and boxes, but Apple TV isn’t just about streaming content. It’s about playing music while the lyrics appear on your TV; it’s about playing games from Apple Arcade and connecting a PlayStation or Xbox controller; it’s about working out in a welcoming environment; it’s about comfortably viewing your photos on a big screen; and it’s about unlocking an even better FaceTime experience.
As I said, there is a lot more to it than meets the eye and although the Apple TV 4K comes at a price, in my experience it is well worth the price.
Britta O’Boyle has been a technology journalist since 2003. She’s covered everything from phones, tablets and fitness devices to smart home and beauty tech. You’ll find her name in reviews, explainers, roundups and expert tips on Apple, Google, Samsung, Sonos, Dyson and many more.
She’s always tried to take a simpler approach to products, focusing on what she thinks is really important when using them, rather than getting lost in technical jargon. She was one of the first journalists in the world to try out Apple’s Vision Pro headset, she’s gone behind the scenes at Peloton, and she can tell you more than 40 interesting facts about the Mac.
Britta has a First Class Honours degree in Fashion Journalism from the University of the Arts London and spent three years writing about interiors, covering the increasing use of technology in the home, before becoming Deputy Editor of Pocket-lint from 2013-2023.
As a freelance journalist, she co-founded The Disconekt and is Editor-in-Chief of The Ambient. She can also be found in several prestigious newspapers including The Telegraph, British GQ, The Express, The Mirror, TechRadar, T3, Stuff, TechAdvisor, Trusted Reviews, Expert Reviews, Wareable and iMore.
She has also been a guest on several radio stations including BBC Radio, Siren FM and Academy FM, discussing features that can be built into devices to keep children safer online. She always wears her Apple Watch (usually alongside another fitness tracker she’s testing), and tries to complete her rings so she can afford that extra bar of chocolate. When she’s not recording the dog walk as an outdoor walk, she’s trying to keep up with her two young children.
