The finest streamer receives significant changes with the 2022 Apple TV 4K.
More than most people currently require, but excellent for the future.
Apple's upgraded Apple TV 4K debuts this week and goes on sale on Friday, November 4, both online and in retail locations. After using the Wi-Fi + Ethernet version for less than a week, I can say that it's unquestionably an improvement over the current one. It offers a few crucial features that are geared toward the future and will be appealing to users with the appropriate setups, as well as small but noticeable performance gains in some areas. Read on to see why those considering an upgrade from the version it replaces might wish to reconsider.
The basics
I should start by saying that I am adamant that the Apple TV is the best streaming hardware choice currently available. Of all the options, it has the best overall experience, performance, colour rendering, and navigation. The Apple TV 4K is more expensive than the majority of alternatives from rivals like Amazon and Roku, but I find that the enhanced experience it provides more than compensates the price difference.
This is still true for the new 2022 edition, which keeps the winning formula Apple has developed intact while adding a few new gimmicks that the previous version lacked.
The A15 processor inside is the first and represents a multi-generational improvement over.
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The finest streamer receives significant changes with the 2022 Apple TV 4K.
More than most people currently require, but excellent for the future
November 2, 2022, 6:30 PM GMT+5:30, Darrell Etherington @etherington
Version 2022 of Apple TV in 4K Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Darrell Etherington/TechCrunch is the photographer.
Apple's upgraded Apple TV 4K debuts this week and goes on sale on Friday, November 4, both online and in retail locations. After using the Wi-Fi + Ethernet version for less than a week, I can say that it's unquestionably an improvement over the current one. It offers a few crucial features that are geared toward the future and will be appealing to users with the appropriate setups, as well as small but noticeable performance gains in some areas. Those who want to replace the old version but are on the fence.
Features and performance
If you own a 2021 Apple TV 4K, as I do, you probably aren't experiencing any performance issues. In fact, even though it is now six years old and I still use a first-generation Apple TV 4K, I doubt I could tell the difference between it and my 2021 Apple TV in a blind test.
However, the Apple TV 4K from 2022 does appear to typically speed up navigation between the Home Screen and apps, and possibly even within those apps. It also undoubtedly gives the Apple TV a boost when it comes to gaming, enabling it to keep up with the most graphically demanding Arcade and App Store games available.
Support for HDR10+ is the other significant feature addition in this case. If you're not familiar with the many video quality standards available, that is essentially the high-dynamic range standard that Samsung supports as a direct alternative to Dolby Vision. Since the release of the first-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple TV has natively supported Dolby Vision (and HDR10) content, but this is the first time it has provided HDR10+.
My older LG OLED TVs, which support Dolby Vision, don't support HDR10+, so I couldn't test it myself. However, this is a very welcome feature for owners of newer Samsung televisions, as Samsung seems adamantly opposed to supporting Dolby Vision. Speaking of Dolby Vision, Apple has consistently provided top-notch assistance, and the most recent version is no exception: It's a fantastic method to set it and forget it and get the most out of supported material, provided you have a pretty contemporary TV and care about picture quality.
Quick Media Moving (QMS VRR), another fantastic feature that Apple has added here, eliminates the brief blackout that currently occurs when switching between different frame rates.
When it appears later this year as a result of a software update, QMS will eliminate that blackout. The fact that it only applies to switching frame rates and not to switching colour spaces, such as from standard- to high-dynamic-range material, prevents me from testing it, but it sounds like a nice-to-have feature.
Personalized Siri support is another comparable "coming soon" feature. It recognises various user voices and automatically plays content from each user's profile, even if the TV is currently signed in to the account of another family member. This was demonstrated in a terrific way, but I was once again unable to try it out for myself because it would be included in a subsequent update.
Compared to Apple TV 4K 2021, Apple TV 4K 2022 (right). Darrell Etherington/TechCrunch is the photographer.
You also get a Gigabit Ethernet connector and a Thread radio if you spend an extra $20 for the higher-end model, which I generally advise anyone considering buying one of these should do. The former is crucial for reliable, high-quality performance independent of your home Wi-Fi environment, while the latter will likely be crucial in a Matter-centered smart home future — which may or may not matter (get it?) to you a lot depending on your needs. Again, I was unable to test it in any way with my present setup, but it adds value if you consider that you practically get it for free when you buy an Ethernet port.
The Siri Remote has also seen a significant update from Apple, replacing the Lightning port on the bottom with a USB-C port. This may seem insignificant, but it means that the only charging device I will now need in my living room is USB-C, therefore I'm thrilled about the change. If you're new to Apple TV, the Siri Remote is, in my opinion, a great control device. It has a dedicated button on the side for voice commands, a clever touch-sensitive ring for playing back content easily, and a stylish metal design overall.
Bottom line
Was a hardware upgrade urgently needed for the Apple TV 4K? Absolutely not. The current version continues to work admirably and will continue to meet the demands of many clients for a very long time. The 2022 model, however, includes several fantastic hardware upgrades that, along with the price reduction, make it a no-brainer for anyone seeking to get their first Apple TV or replace an outmoded Apple TV HD model.
You can bet the 2022 model will be future-proof for a sizable amount of time given how long the original Apple TV 4K from 2016 has remained relevant, both in terms of your entertainment setup and the future of the smart home.
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