Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)

It's simple to see the Apple TV 4K as a streaming gadget, and for the most part, that is exactly what it is. It costs roughly Rs. 15,000, which is significantly more than the majority of streaming devices, and many people might not see the value in doing so when competing products (or even your television's operating system) can perform many of the same functions for a lot less. The Apple TV 4K is much more than that, making it a special item that belongs in its own specific niche.

The recently released Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) is in many ways stronger, more capable, and more equipped than its predecessor while intriguingly costing a little less than previously, starting at Rs. 14,900. Is

Design and specifications for Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)

The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) is a little bit lighter and smaller than the one from the previous generation. It is still significantly bigger and heavier than the majority of the other products in this particular product category, though. It still has the table-top shape, but there are some minor visual modifications, like the removal of the Apple TV logo from the top and its replacement with a smaller, more straightforward Apple brand emblem. Notably, admission costs are now cheaper than previously, but the non-4K model is no longer available.

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The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) is once again only offered in one colour: black, with a silver remote. The device currently comes in two different versions; the one that costs Rs. 14,900 has 64GB of internal storage and only Wi-Fi for Internet connectivity, while the one that costs Rs. 16,900 (and is the one that was supplied to me for review) has 128GB of storage and an RJ45 Ethernet socket for wired connectivity in addition to Wi-Fi.

The Ethernet port, HDMI port, and power socket are all located at the rear of both models, which is also the only design distinction between them. You will need to buy an HDMI cable to connect to your TV and an Ethernet cable (if necessary) separately. The gadget comes with a power cord and a remote control, but nothing else.

The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) is compatible with HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5. Apple's A15 Bionic chip, which is notable for also being used in the iPhone 13 series, the entry-level iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models, among other devices, powers the gadget.

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The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) can broadcast content in Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDR10 formats up to Ultra-HD (3840x2160) resolution. The system utilises Apple's tvOS operating system, which is based on iOS and supports Dolby Atmos audio as well.

Features of the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) remote

Thanks to its aluminium housing, combination of physical buttons, and touch-sensitive clickpad for navigation, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) remote is extremely stunning. The Apple TV remote (3rd Gen) includes a built-in, non-removable battery that needs to be charged, unlike the majority of other streaming devices' remotes, which use disposable and replaceable batteries.

It's interesting to note that the remote itself is basically unchanged from the previous version, with the exception of one significant change: it now features a USB Type-C port for charging. A charging cable, however, is not included in the box. The remote has a fantastic look and feel, but you'll need to handle it carefully because it's prone to dents and scratches.

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The remote has buttons for volume control, playback, volume adjustment, and calling up Apple's Siri voice assistant. The 'TV' button on the remote can be programmed to launch the tvOS home screen or the Apple TV app, depending on your preferences.

You can manage all of the connected devices with a single remote thanks to HDMI CEC. Numerous programmes and services designed for usage on a television screen are supported by Apple's tvOS software platform, which was at version 16.1.1 at the time of this study. Additionally, Apple Arcade, the company's top subscription-based gaming service, is accessible to you through tvOS.

Performance of Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen).

The tvOS platform from Apple is mainly effective; I saw speedy loading times and simple navigation. Throughout my use of the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen), there was absolutely no lag to be seen. Anyone with experience with iOS will recognise the operating system, as the most of the changes were made to make it compatible with the large screen and remote navigation.

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Nevertheless, tvOS occasionally feels overly simplistic, and several app parts seem a little under-equipped when compared to Android TV or Amazon's Fire TV interface. This can have benefits, like the simple grid on the home screen and the content previews at the top, but there are also some drawbacks, like the fact that some apps only offer a small number of subtitle options, that occasionally certain streaming services have compatibility issues with HDR formats, and that the Netflix app on tvOS does not consistently support Dolby Atmos at the content level.

Major streaming services, Apple Arcade games, and other important tvOS apps are often well-designed and perform as expected. Some popular applications, like Tinder, haven't received updates in a while, but they aren't really important and you probably wouldn't even want to use them on a television screen if you have a smartphone or tablet on hand.

You can quickly and easily connect any AirPods or HomePod speakers you own to the Apple TV 4K, just like with other components of the Apple ecosystem. The gadget downloads high-quality, high-resolution scenic clips to use as backgrounds for the tvOS interface, which is another intriguing feature of dynamic wallpapers. All of these were extremely attractive to look at, but as feared, downloading them takes up a lot of data.

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Access to Apple Arcade and other popular games that have been adapted for tvOS is a key selling point for the Apple TV device. Many of the games on the Apple TV 4K can be played with just the Apple TV remote, but many others require a suitable gaming controller. The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) is a very capable'micro-console' in a sense because many games performed better on a larger screen, and this is where the potent A15 processor comes in handy.

At least in comparison to its features on other Apple platforms like iOS and CarPlay, Siri on the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) is quite lacklustre. With the exception of YouTube, Apple Music, and the Apple TV app, I was unable to play specific material from streaming services; however, I was at least able to use voice commands to open pre-installed apps and search the App Store.

When it comes to the essential features of music and video streaming, Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) is noticeably superior to devices operating on other platforms in terms of stream quality and stability, especially on slower Internet connections. On the Apple TV 4K via a mobile internet connection, there was barely any buffering, and the picture and acoustics were substantially better. Some streaming services, like Apple TV+ and Netflix, did appear a little bit better on this device than on the stock Android TV platform on the Xiaomi Smart TV X50, even with a much quicker and more reliable Wi-Fi connection.

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Verdict

 

The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) may appear to be just another costly streaming device, but there is much more to this device than most people realise at first. It does, of fact, carry out its fundamental duties adequately for the most part, although tvOS occasionally seems like it needs an upgrade. The deal is made even sweeter by the plenty of storage, practical networking options, and Apple's renowned ecosystem, especially if you already own other Apple products and have subscriptions to its essential services.

The Apple TV 4K is strong and capable enough to be termed a micro-console and can bring many of the features of your iPhone or iPad to your much larger TV, despite being unquestionably costly for a streaming device.