Apple TV 4K (Second Gen.) Review: A Much Better Remote, But What Else?

ABOUT THIS VIDEO
Apple's newest streaming device is finally here. The second-generation Apple TV 4K is in our hands and under our microscope. It's also packing a significantly tweaked new Siri Remote, so there's a lot to uncover here.

Does Apple's latest streaming hardware justify its $179 starting price? And how does it compare to other high-end options with similar asking prices? Plus, is that remote actually an improvement over the old Siri Remote?

Let's see what we can find out!

0:00 Intro
0:48 Hardware and Features
4:36 Setup and Performance
10:43 Performance Benchmarks
12:10 Wrapping It All Up...

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[kenyattaclay]

I currently use the Apple TV as my main streaming devise and Chromecast as my backup device. I have also had Roku and Fire sticks in the past and without a doubt the Apple TV is the best among all of them. I understand loading times shouldn't be the main reason but it's WAY up there however it's the UI and watching sports that makes the Apple TV the best device. The UI offers a much cleaner look and you can put your apps into folders making them much easier to find. It is also powerful enough that it doesn't buffer when watching sports like Roku and Fire TV can. I especially like how on the ESPN app on Apple TV you can have four boxes open at once and when watching college football on Saturday it makes it much easier to jump between games. There are other benefits such as having enough space so that when apps update you don't run out of room and I do understand that some may think it cost too much but to me it's worth the price.

[michaeltorrey]

I upgraded from the Apple TV HD and it was a big improvement. However not all apps will work right with the new remote. Like the peacock app. You can’t rewind 30 seconds anymore and the outer buttons on the click wheel don’t work at all. I have to use my iPhone remote app for Peacock.

[TerryManitoba]

Coming from a 10-year-old Apple TV - I needed a new one - obviously... If I were to only need a new remote I figure the $60 price tag would be well worth it. How can a remote control be so great...
1- quickly open a new app with Siri
2 - new trackpad becomes intuitive very fast
3- having a mute button on it is well worth it - not having to dig up the television remote - Same applies for the volume and ability to start and shut down both with one power button.
4- the size is just right in the hand - the flat sides (ala iPhone 12) is gold
5- Rechargeable battery
6- Being able to easily use the controls (most used are the mute, volume & pause buttons) without requiring to pick the remote up is also nice (for me 50% of the time) Lots of smaller remotes are not so well designed in that way! After a few more days I end up using all of the buttons in that way & less so the trackpad part.

For the Apple TV 4K (future proof for newer set & improved resolutions) 32GB- what I like best - in no order
1- Picture & picture
2- Faster
3- Just better overall
4- Able to lock in playback speed in YT (not able to do that on the old A tv - firestick did not permanently lock it in)
5- TV+ app integration with other apps

One thing I will miss for ease of use (as on the Fire Stick remote) is to be able to simply with a 2 button press (1 long - 1 short) "save to watch later" a video while browsing on YouTube. With Apple, it is way less easy (more miserable - 8 button press) to do.

Interesting how in the unboxing videos - No one commented on the very well-designed shipping box that the A tv box was shipped in. Those who showed the shipping box just cut the plastic without realizing a hammock-style suspension that was employed. Simply Brilliant...

[DJSnub]

I was just going to upgrade my remote but the arc for the homepods with the new apple tv made me upgrade

[neveabe]

Would have made more sense if you compared the new Apple TV 4K to the old Apple TV 4K (4years old) instead of the even older Apple TV HD version. Had to go else where to figure that information out.

[jeremyf]

Great review! I didn’t know about being able to shut off the trackpad so that it only works as a button-type remote. That will be great when friends come over. They have a little trouble with the old remote.

[beazdakid]

I bought the new remote 2 weeks ago for my 2017 Apple TV 4K. I think that was all I needed my Apple TV 4K is amazing. I think I don’t need the other one.

[jeremyf]

Something else to know: Apple recently released tvOS 14.5 for HD and 4K 1st gen & 2nd gen models. It includes a feature that can color-correct your TV, but it requires an iPhone with FaceID.

[Richie]

The review on the 2nd gen 4K streaming device by apple, reflects its exceptional user-friendly interface with lots of stream settings and options.

[jeffwest]

Having support for Thread will motivate me to make a purchase for a gen2 model once more devices are available.

[garytraylor]

If you are in the Apple ecosystem there is a lot of value in the 2nd gen 4K box. The Remote is the obvious upgrade, but the Bluetooth & WiFi has been improved and the A12 Bionic Chip is a bit snappier! I would say get the remote separately if you have the 1st gen model!

[sdw]

The Apple TV 4K can be purchased at Sam's Club, Costco and BJ's at a cheaper price! Apple TV 4K 32gb $169.98, through their website or in-store!

[AppleFanX]

In order to get the full 4K, does it have to be plugged into the HDMI 2.1 120hz? Or is it meant to go into the HDMI 2.1 60hz? Thanks!

[jeffwest]

Still waiting for a subwoofer to go along with Apple TV and Homepods.

[twennywonn]

Did you run those same 10 apps through the 2017 ATV 4k? Id be curious if there is a performance difference.

[DRE_vid]

I got the 64gb version from Costco at $189, what the hell. I'll be using this for the next four to five years. (Plus I get Apple TV Plus free for a year, I was about to subscribe anyway.) Set-up was quick, picking up all my home screen items from my earlier version. (Passwords not included, unfortunately.) Yes, the remote is a huge improvement, but a lot of apps (YouTube TV and HBO Max, especially) haven't been updated to take advantage of the scroll wheel. But advancing/rewinding is much better with the designated buttons. I don't understand why the remote was disabled for gaming, even though you get Apple Arcade free for three months. These games don't work with the new remote. Weird. I am not springing for a controller.

[stanrock]

Or actual 4K in most apps and content. Apple clearly leads this space rn

[christophercrawford]

Not sure why you think Apple would address the cost of a replacement Siri remote being $60 so many years later… redesign or not.