I’ve had an Apple TV 4K plugged into my setup for years now, and honestly… it really hasn’t changed that much.
BUT, that might be about to change. Word on the street is that Apple’s lining up a new Apple TV for 2026, potentially powered by the A16 chip, with AI-powered tvOS features built in. There’s even talk of a cheaper, stick-style Apple TV that could finally take on Amazon’s Fire TV Stick and Google’s Chromecast head-to-head.
So here’s the question: should you buy the Apple TV 4K as it stands today, or wait to see what Apple cooks up next? Let’s break it down.
Apple TV 4K in 2025: Where We’re At
The current Apple TV 4K (3rd gen, refreshed in late 2022) is powered by the A15 Bionic chip, comes in 64GB or 128GB storage, and ships with a USB-C Siri Remote. It’s slick, responsive, and frankly overpowered for a streaming box.
Compared to competitors, it still feels like the premium choice. Here’s why:
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support make it a solid partner for 4K TVs.
- The interface is smooth, ad-free, and plays beautifully with other Apple gear (AirPods, iPhones, HomePods).
- It’s also the best option if you’re invested in Apple Arcade, Fitness+, or HomeKit.
But (and this is the sticking point), it costs way more than an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max or a Roku Ultra. These options hover around £50/$50, while the Apple TV 4K starts at £149/$129. That premium price has always been Apple’s way, but it makes you question whether the extra polish is worth it when alternatives do 80% of the job for a fraction of the money.
And with rumors of a cheaper “Apple TV Stick” swirling, Apple itself might be asking the same question.
What the Apple TV 4K Does Well
For all the moaning about Apple not updating the hardware often, let’s be fair: the Apple TV 4K is still one of the smoothest streaming devices you can buy.
Performance That Feels Effortless
Powered by the A15 Bionic chip, the Apple TV 4K isn’t just a little faster than an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Roku; it’s in another league. Apps open instantly, scrolling feels snappy, and you don’t get that “laggy remote click… wait… wait… oh, now it moved” nonsense. Yes, it’s overkill for Netflix. But it does make a difference if you dabble in Apple Arcade gaming or bounce between multiple apps all evening.
Picture & Sound Quality
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, the Apple TV 4K ticks all the boxes.
Pair it with a decent 4K HDR TV and soundbar, and you’re in home-cinema territory. And unlike some competitors, it doesn’t downplay or compress things just to keep costs down.
Plays Nicely With Apple Gear
This is the big one: the Apple ecosystem magic.
- AirPods sync effortlessly (Spatial Audio included).
- Your iPhone doubles as a remote.
- Apple Fitness+ turns your TV into a workout screen.
- HomeKit controls are built in, turning your Apple TV into a mini smart home hub.
If you already live in Apple’s world, this box feels like the missing puzzle piece that ties everything together.
Fewer Annoyances
Here’s an underrated win: no ads plastered all over the home screen. Fire TV, Roku, and even Google’s Chromecast are basically billboards for content you didn’t ask for. Apple TV feels clean, simple, and focused on your apps, not Amazon’s or Disney’s marketing budget.
Where the Apple TV 4K Still Falls Short
As much as I love mine, the Apple TV 4K isn’t perfect. And when you’re paying over double what Amazon or Roku charge, those shortcomings sting a little more.
The Price Problem
Starting at around £149/$129, it’s one of the most expensive streaming devices out there. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max? Around £60/$50. Roku Ultra? Similar. Do those feel as polished? No. But if all you need is Netflix and Disney+, it’s hard to justify the Apple tax.
Gaming That Doesn’t Quite Land
On paper, the A15 chip means the Apple TV 4K could be a little gaming powerhouse. Apple Arcade is fine for casual games, but it never grew into the console replacement some of us hoped for. If Apple wanted to go big here, it would’ve leaned into cloud gaming or proper controller support years ago.
The Remote Debate
The Siri Remote is better than it used to be (remember the awful glass swipe pad?), but it’s still divisive.
Some love it, others swear it ends up lost in the sofa more than any other remote. And Siri itself? Still hit-or-miss when you try to voice search.
Slow Update Cycle
The Apple TV 4K doesn’t get refreshed often. The last one was revamped in 2022, and we’re only now hearing rumors of a new version in 2026. Compare that to Fire Sticks or Rokus, which churn out updates almost yearly, and Apple TV can feel a bit like it’s stuck in time.
What’s Next for Apple TV?
The Apple TV 4K is good. No argument there. But it also feels like a product that’s been on autopilot for years, which is why the rumors around the next Apple TV are so interesting. Here’s what’s being whispered about right now.
Faster Hardware
The next Apple TV is tipped to come with the A16 chip, the same chip found in the iPhone 15 Pro. That means an even smoother performance and more space for gaming or future apps. Is it overkill for streaming Netflix? Yes. Will Apple do it anyway? Also yes.
AI-Powered tvOS
With Apple Intelligence rolling out across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, it makes sense that tvOS will get smarter, too. If I had to guess, I’d say this could mean more personalized recommendations, Siri that actually works when you shout from the sofa, and maybe even smarter smart home automations triggered from your TV.
A Cheaper “Apple TV Stick”?
This one’s big. Multiple reports suggest Apple might finally launch a stick-style Apple TV, basically their answer to the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast. That would make sense, since right now Apple is completely absent from the sub-$50 streaming market. If it happens, Apple could suddenly grab a much bigger slice of living-room real estate.
Gaming… The One That Got Away?
Apple Arcade never became the “Switch killer” some thought it could be. But with an A16 chip, better controller support, and maybe even cloud gaming partnerships, Apple could give the Apple TV a proper shot at being a casual gaming box. Right now, it feels like wasted potential.
HomePod + Apple TV Hybrid
Another long-standing rumor: Apple could merge the Apple TV with a HomePod-style speaker. Imagine one device under your TV that handles streaming, surround sound, and smart home control all at once. That could finally make the Apple TV feel like it’s more than “just another box.”
Should You Buy Apple TV 4K in 2025?
So here’s the million-dollar question: should you buy the Apple TV 4K today, wait for whatever Apple’s cooking up next, or just buy something else? Here’s my advice.
Should You Buy the Apple TV 4K?
Apple TV 4K Review: My Honest Take
The Apple TV 4K is still one of the best streaming boxes you can buy in 2025. It’s smooth, powerful, ad-free, and a dream if you’re already in Apple’s ecosystem. But it’s also… a bit boring. Apple hasn’t done much with it since 2022, and compared to the yearly churn of Fire Sticks and Chromecasts, it feels like a product just coasting along.
The rumors for 2026, though, are intriguing: a faster A16 chip, possible AI-powered tvOS features, maybe even a stick-style Apple TV to finally take on Amazon and Roku. If Apple pulls the trigger on even one of those, the Apple TV could suddenly go from “nice-to-have” to essential again.
