There is no denying the power behind the Apple brand name. The iPhone-maker has transcended markets, dominating the realm of smartphones for some years now, and have been neck-in-neck with PCs in the personal device domain.
They have even made an argument for pushing for future domination in the smart-watch sector with the Apple Watch. However, the tech juggernaut seems unsatisfied with just that. It hungers for more.
One of its more notable initiatives has been the introduction of the Apple TV streaming device. This is a tough market to get into this late in the game, of course.
Smart TVs from various brands and streaming tools like Amazon Fire and Roku have been dominating the smart entertainment market for the last decade.
But with the Apple TV, the company must have genuinely believed that they had something competitive on their hands. The real question is: do they, really?
With this guide, we’ll help you determine whether an Apple TV is worth it for your lifestyle, budget, and needs.
Is Apple TV Worth It?
Apple TV is worth it if you’re invested deep into the Apple ecosystem and want to access high-quality content at a lesser price. However, you shouldn’t expect too much from it because it only offers a few original titles. Therefore, the Apple TV may not be right for you if you enjoy having a wide selection of options.
What Are the Pros of Apple TV?
Below, you will find a few reasons why you should consider buying an Apple TV.
- Affordable 4K resolution
- Simple to connect
- Access to popular and exclusive apps
- 4K HDR gaming
- Device mirroring
1. Affordable 4K Resolution
If you spend money on a streaming product, you want the quality to be outstanding. Currently, 4K or UHD (Ultra-high-definition) is the best available on the market, but for most brands, the higher the resolution, the higher the cost.
The nice thing about Apple TV is that it affords buyers the ability to get 4K quality, but for a price that is not at the level of other products.
The quality of resolution is always increasing as well, with the 2nd generation of Apple TV 4K able to achieve an HDR with a Dolby Vision rate of 2160p (60fps).
2. Simple to Connect
To connect the Apple TV product to the television, you simply need to plug the HDMI cable into the TV’s HDMI port.
A few clicks later the device is ready for streaming. Being intuitive to even the most non-tech users is a huge plus.
3. Access to Popular and Exclusive Apps
Most people know that Apple is very selective in terms of what apps and products they vet and allow through their services.
If your concern is that you will not be able to watch your favorite streaming channels, rest easy.
Apple TV would not lock out such potential by prohibiting what some might consider competitors like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
Yes, Apple has its own new streaming service in Apple TV +, but the Apple TV will still permit watching all of your favorite movies and shows through other services.
4. 4K HDR Gaming
Gamers’ ears may perk up for the fact that the Apple TV comes with a gaming platform that users can play on their TV with Apple Arcade.
Of course, gaming systems’ processing power is typically their strongest attribute, and Apple TV delivers on that front.
The processor is capable of handling heavy resources-consuming computer games. However, Apple will likely upgrade the system before long, bringing the majority of games currently available only on the iPad to the Arcade platform.
5. Device Mirroring
If you use Apple devices to stream content, you can still do so, and mirror it to your Apple TV with the AirPlay feature.
This handy tool allows you to mirror your phone or iPad screen to the device. Of course, you won’t need to do that if you have apps on the Apple TV
However, some apps do not exist on the Apple TV platform, while others may be on your handheld device. You can also mirror them to the screen using AirPlay.
What Are the Cons of Apple TV?
Apple TV has some shortcomings too. We list below some of the cons of Apple TV. Here are some of the reasons why you shouldn’t buy an Apple TV.
- Siri functionality could be better
- No audio output
- Very Expensive
- No native recording mechanism
1. Siri Functionality Could Be Better
Siri is the well-known, readily reliable assistant on most Apple devices, and it serves a solid purpose on the Apple TV as well.
While it can save time with requests, and the Siri Remote provided with the Apple TV works well, the functionality still needs quite a bit of refinement.
2. No Audio Output
One handy feature that devices like Roku have developed is an audio out port from the remote. That means the user can watch something on a screen and plug headphones into the remote.
Apple TV, at this time, does not offer such a feature. The Apple TV has no audio output from the device itself either.
3. Very Expensive
In the same way that iPhones are expensive, Apple TVs are also quite expensive.
In terms of resolution, it certainly delivers at its price point, but in terms of overall price, Apple TV is far more expensive than Roku or Amazon, by quite a bit in that regard.
The product costs $200, as well as the optional $50 annually for those who want to subscribe to Apple’s Apple TV + streaming service.
The Roku’s top-of-the-line model costs about half of that, and you can buy an Amazon Fire TV Stick for just $35.
4. No Native Recording Mechanism
Certain streaming products and TVs have a native feature that allows them to record programming for subsequent viewing.
Apple TV, however, cannot record broadcast, cable, satellite, or any other movies or TV shows. There are no Apple devices that support this feature at this time, but that may change one day.
Final Thoughts on Whether Apple TV Is Worth It
So, is the Apple TV worth it? It really depends on what you are looking for. Considering its better resolution than a 4K TV, a gaming platform, simplicity, and Apple-exclusive apps, then the Apple TV is worth it regardless of its price tag.
If you are looking for a more affordable product with recording features, you may want to consider other options.
If you have any feedback or questions, then please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.
What’s the difference between a 32 GB and a 64 GB Apple TV?
Hi Greg, they’re pretty much the same except for the storage difference and the 64GB has a Gigabyte Ethernet port.