I never thought I’d need anything more than the apps that came with my TV, but over time, they just weren’t cutting it. Switching to an Apple TV 4K made a bigger difference than I expected, and I haven’t looked back since.
1
The UI Is Much Faster and Cleaner
The main reason I switched was because of how poorly my Sony Bravia XH80 handled Android TV. Turning it on always took a frustratingly long time, and even after that, opening apps or simply navigating through the interface felt like a chore. It was so sluggish and unresponsive that I often wondered if the hardware was approved without proper testing—it was borderline unusable.
On the other hand, tvOS has been a completely different experience and exactly what I was looking for in a streaming device. The user interface is much cleaner, and more importantly, it’s free from ads. Everything runs smoothly, and it wakes up from sleep almost instantly. Plus, I have confidence that Apple will continue to support it with software updates for years to come—something I can’t say for Sony, even with their latest TVs.
It is also a great choice if you have an older TV and aren’t planning to upgrade your display anytime soon. It’s an easy way to bring modern streaming features to your existing setup without investing in a brand-new television.
2
The Remote Is Miles Ahead
One change I didn’t realize could make such a difference until I experienced it myself was the Siri Remote. Unlike the typical plastic TV remotes, the aluminum build—although slightly heavy—feels much sturdier, which is great considering how often I tend to drop it.
My favorite feature by far is the touchpad, which lets me navigate menus effortlessly by simply flicking my finger rather than repeatedly pressing clunky buttons. Another really underrated feature is the Siri button, conveniently placed on the right edge of the remote, which can also be used as a push-to-talk button for voice dictation, making it wonderfully simple to search for something to watch.
And if you’re anything like me and constantly lose your remote in the endless depths of your couch, you’ll appreciate the ability to locate it using your iPhone. The fact that it charges via USB-C instead of relying on disposable batteries is also a thoughtful touch, saving me from last-minute battery hunts.
3
I Can Use It as a Home Hub
Another great thing about the Apple TV is that it doubles as a home hub, so I don’t need to purchase a separate device. It integrates with all my HomeKit devices, and works really well throughout the board. Since my Apple TV 4K is always plugged into the wall, I can count on it to function without any hassle.
However, it’s important to note that if you own the 64GB version of the Apple TV 4K, you’ll be limited to only using HomeKit devices. If you’re interested in Thread networking support, you’ll need to opt for the 128GB model instead.
4
I Can Even Do Some Light Gaming on It
If you’re a casual gamer who doesn’t play AAA titles all the time, you can easily connect a controller to your Apple TV and download games from the App Store. The 3rd generation Apple TV 4K comes with the A15 Bionic chip—the same one found in the iPhone 13—which is honestly more power than you’d expect for just a streaming box. But thanks to that extra power, it handles light gaming pretty well.
You can find tons of great games on Apple Arcade (I’d definitely recommend Balatro+). And if you want even more options, you can download the Steam Link app to stream games directly from your PC to your Apple TV, making it a pretty strong console replacement.
