Apple TV 4K review: Still a top streamer, but $299 is a tough ask

The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K retains the title of best premium streaming box, thanks to a significant processor upgrade and new features. The A19 chip replaces the A15 Bionic, delivering what Apple claims is 50 percent faster CPU performance and up to 2x faster GPU performance. In practice, the interface feels noticeably more fluid and responsive. The chip also enables a dedicated AV1 decoder for HDR rendering efficiency.

Siri takes a bigger role in the living room with three far-field microphones built into the box, so you no longer need the remote to speak commands. The assistant can now pull personal context from Messages and other apps, and audio captured by the mics is processed within the Secure Exclave on the A19, keeping data away from apps and Apple. A new Precision Finding feature for the remote in the Find My app helps locate a misplaced remote, and the built-in mics mean a lost remote is less of a problem since you can just speak commands.

The audio setup expands to support up to four HomePod or HomePod mini speakers for a surround sound system, as long as the front and rear pairs match. A Whole Room Audio mode lets all four speakers play the same sound for parties. The box also continues to function as a smart home hub for HomeKit and Matter accessories, with HomeKit Secure Video providing local processing and Apple Intelligence generating captions for camera feeds.

However, the $299 price tag is a major sticking point. That is $150 more than the equivalent third-gen model cost at launch, and Apple has also eliminated the cheaper Wi-Fi-only 64GB option. The only configuration available is 128GB. While the performance and features are top-notch, the cost makes it harder to recommend, especially for those with a third-gen model or anyone on a budget.