Apple TV 4K Adds A19 Chip and On-Device Siri Microphone at $299
The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K brings the A19 chip, an on-device Siri microphone and a remote-finding feature. But the price rises to $299, aiming the device at users who want gaming and smart-home features rather than just streaming, and it is due out in November with no hands-on testing yet.
The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K brings an A19 chip, an on-device Siri microphone and a $299 price. The device is due out in November, with upgrades aimed at gamers and smart-home users rather than people who just watch streaming services.
The price is its biggest gamble. CNET compares the new price tag with a $30 streaming device and says the new Apple TV is not worth buying if the main need is simply to watch content.
Faster chip and on-device Siri microphone
Apple says the A19 processor in the new Apple TV 4K is 50% faster than the A15 chip in the previous model. The upgrade is expected to make streaming apps open faster and navigation feel smoother.
Graphics performance is also claimed to be double that of the previous generation. CNET says the upgrade could be more appealing to users who play games on their TVs, including games streamed from a PC using Steam Link. However, the CNET writer has not tested the new device in person.
Storage stays at 128GB, the same as the previous flagship model. The device also supports Wi-Fi 7, which CNET says can deliver better throughput when paired with a compatible router.
The change most noticeable in everyday use may actually be the microphone. The new Apple TV 4K has three far-field microphones for interacting with Siri, so users no longer have to rely on a separate Siri smart speaker to give the device voice commands.
For example, users can ask, “Hey Siri, where is my remote?” The new remote also includes Find My with Precision Finding. CNET says the design looks similar to the previous remote, but the finding feature offers another way to locate a lost device.
The $299 price puts Apple TV in the premium class
The new Apple TV 4K is priced at $299. That is well above the $129 previously listed for Apple TV in the company’s lineup. The same source says the 64GB version rose by $70, while the 128GB version rose by $100.
The price comparison changes who may find the device worthwhile. Users who only need access to streaming services will find cheaper options, while the chip, graphics, Siri and remote-finding features become more relevant reasons for home cinema fans and gamers.
The price change also puts the Apple TV 4K in a different position from low-cost streaming devices. CNET says the combination of power, ease of use and smart-home features could appeal to home cinema fans and gamers, but the benefits have not been proven through hands-on testing.
CNET says its writer will test the device only after it is released in November. Until then, the real-world performance of the A19 chip, the graphics and Wi-Fi 7 has not been confirmed through the publication’s testing.
The new price of the Apple TV 4K is $299.
