Apple TV 4K (2026) Review - All That Power. For WHAT?!

Summary

After a week using the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, reviewer Asha considers it a capable but overpriced upgrade. Its A19 chip, extra memory, and new remote features improve responsiveness, but most streaming tasks do not need this much power. The device also lacks major video and audio upgrades that enthusiasts may expect.

Key Points

Price and value

The new model costs ₹40,000. The previous generation is now ₹31,900 in the Ethernet configuration, making the ₹8,000 price difference difficult to justify.

Performance

The A19 chip and 8GB of RAM help apps open faster and stay in memory longer. Asha noticed a major gaming improvement over the second-generation model, including higher graphics settings in NBA 2K. However, few demanding Apple TV games are available to take advantage of the chip.

Remote and Siri

The remote supports Find My, which Asha considers the most useful new feature. Hands-free Siri uses microphones in the box, but Asha found it unreliable, especially when TV audio was playing.

Some voice commands work well within Apple TV, such as seeking through content or enabling captions. Support varies in third-party apps like Netflix.

Picture and video support

Asha saw little difference in picture quality compared with older models. Output remains capped at 4K/60fps, with no 4K/120Hz or variable refresh rate. Supported HDR formats include Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG.

New AV1 support can reduce YouTube bandwidth use, while Dolby Vision Profile 8.1 may benefit users of apps such as Plex or Infuse.

Audio

Dolby Atmos is supported through streaming audio, but the box still lacks Dolby TrueHD and DTS:X passthrough to an AV receiver. Surround sound through four HomePods is supported.

Who Should Upgrade?

Owners of the third-generation Apple TV are advised to keep it and, if needed, buy the new remote separately. Second-generation owners may notice the performance improvements, but Asha still considers ₹40,000 steep.

Apple TV Streaming Service

Asha recommends considering the Apple TV streaming service for shows including Pachinko, Severance, Slow Horses, and Ted Lasso. The service is available on devices including Android phones, tablets, and smart TVs, and is bundled with iCloud+ for ₹75 per month.

Main Speaker and Source

Asha, reviewer and host of Trakin Tech English.