Apple has officially announced its next-generation Apple TV 4K, featuring major upgrades to deliver higher resolution video, improved performance and a redesigned Siri remote. Here‘s a comprehensive look at what‘s new with the 2021 Apple TV 4K and how it compares to other streaming devices.
Overview of New Apple TV 4K
The key upgrades in the 2021 Apple TV 4K include:
- Support for 4K video at 60 fps, HDR and Dolby Vision up to 60fps. This enables sharper, smoother high resolution video.
- A12 Bionic chip provides up to 50% faster CPU performance and 30% faster graphics compared to previous model.
- HDMI 2.1 support allows higher bandwidth for 4K 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rates and more.
- New Siri remote has an intuitive clickpad control and power button.
- 64GB and 128GB storage options compared to 32GB and 64GB previously.
With these upgrades, the new Apple TV 4K delivers significantly improved video quality, speed and responsiveness when streaming movies, TV shows and games.
4K 60fps and Dolby Vision Support
A key highlight of the new Apple TV is support for 4K HDR video at 60 frames per second, up from 30fps on the previous model. This results in smoother, more lifelike motion in action movies and sports.
It also supports next-gen HDR formats like Dolby Vision at 60fps. This produces brighter, more vivid colors and highlights compared to standard HDR10. Overall, the video output is crisper and more cinematic.
Faster Performance with A12 Bionic Chip
The new Apple TV 4K is powered by Apple‘s A12 Bionic chip, which first debuted on the iPhone XS and iPad Pro in 2018. It offers a 50% boost in CPU performance and 30% faster graphics compared to the A10X chip in the previous Apple TV.
This results in much faster app launch times and smoother gameplay when running Apple Arcade titles or graphically rich games. The extra horsepower will also help with on-screen multitasking like picture-in-picture.
Redesigned Siri Remote
The much maligned Siri remote has gotten a complete redesign. It now features an intuitive clickpad control similar to the iPod, along with a power button to easily control TV power and volume. This should make navigation much simpler compared to the older remote.
The new Siri remote will be sold separately for $59, so owners of the previous Apple TV 4K model can upgrade just the remote.
More Storage
With the increase in large apps and games, storage space is at a premium on streaming devices. Apple has doubled the storage on the new Apple TV 4K with 64GB and 128GB options, up from 32GB and 64GB on the previous generation.
Availability and Pricing
The 2021 Apple TV 4K will be available for pre-order on April 30 and launch in the second half of May. It is priced at $179 for the 64GB version and $199 for 128GB. This is $30 more than the earlier 32GB and 64GB models.
The new Siri remote can be bought separately for $59, which is cheaper than the earlier $79 Siri remote.
How Apple TV 4K Compares to Other Streaming Devices
The new Apple TV 4K is more expensive than competitors like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($49), Roku Streaming Stick+ ($49) and Chromecast with Google TV ($49).
However, it does offer some key advantages:
- Faster performance than almost any other streaming device.
- Deeper integration with other Apple devices and services.
- Highest quality Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support.
- Large catalog of games and apps on the App Store.
For iPhone or iPad owners deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the seamless experience offered by Apple TV makes it worth the premium. But for more casual streamers on a budget, the Fire TV Stick 4K or Chromecast provide most of the same features at lower prices.
Roku devices offer the most streaming app support, with over 10,000 channels. But they lack Dolby Vision support found on Apple TV and Fire TV devices.
Should You Upgrade?
For existing Apple TV 4K owners, the new model brings some valuable updates like 4K 60fps, faster performance and the redesigned Siri remote. But there is no support for new codecs or 8K resolution.
The main benefits come for users with large 4K HDR TVs that can take advantage of Dolby Vision at 60fps and the smoother frame rates. Gamers will also appreciate the speed boost.
But for most users, it may not be worth upgrading from the 2017 Apple TV 4K, especially if you have to buy the new remote separately.
Tips to Get The Most from Apple TV 4K
To get the best experience from the new Apple TV 4K, here are some handy tips:
- Use an HDMI 2.1 cable to enable the highest resolutions and frame rates.
- Calibrate video with iPhone using the Color Balance feature.
- Rearrange apps on the Home Screen by holding an app icon until it jiggles.
- Use Siri to quickly launch shows, control smart home devices, check weather etc.
- Enable Game Controller in settings to connect PS4/Xbox controllers for gaming.
The new Apple TV 4K delivers an excellent streaming media player for iPhone/iPad owners invested in the Apple ecosystem. With smart enhancements like 4K 60fps, Dolby Vision and the improved Siri remote, it provides a premium experience. But the cheaper Roku and Fire TV models will be sufficient for more casual users.
