The new Apple TV 4K has landed, and it comes paired with new audio abilities, a fancy personalized AI assistant, and an eye-watering price tag that’s hard to justify.
Apple’s fourth-generation Apple TV 4K starts shipping four years after its predecessor. Quite a gap for Apple’s hobby box.
As a streaming box, it already does quite a bit, and many new features can simply be delivereds from users, and I’m happy to see that Apple (mostly) listened to those requests
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Surprise, it’s a small black box
Somehow, Apple managed to muster the courage and fight the urge to change the form factor of the latest Apple TV 4K. At first blush, it’s identical in size, shape, and color to the last several models.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: The new Apple TV 4K fits right under or behind your TV
It’s a squircle-shaped black puck with glossy sides and a matte top. There’s a glossy Apple logo on the top surface.
When powered on, you’ll see Apple repositioned the status light, from the lower-right corner to the center. There are also three far-field microphones; one on the front, one on the left, and one on the right.
Around back you have the limited selection of ports. There’s your standard power input, HDMI output, as well as Ethernet.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: There are no longer two models of Apple TV 4K and it includes 128GB of storage, gigabit Ethernet, and Thread
Unlike with the prior generation, there is only one model of Apple TV 4K this time. That means Ethernet, Thread, and storage capacity no longer differentiate two distinct versions.
I think Apple’s decision to limit Thread to the high-end model was a mistake last time and hurt adoption of the standard and led to market fragmentation. But we’ll come back to that when talking about smart home.
Inside is Apple’s A19 chip, a healthy upgrade from the old A15 Bionic. It also comes with 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage.
With a streaming box, I don’t think a lot of people consider how much storage they do or don’t need. Memory and SSD size aren’t often advertised on Roku boxes, Fire sticks, or smart TVs.
Apple TV 4K does more than all of those though, and storage can absolutely get eaten up. My son loves playing gamesrements for Apple Intelligence
128GB is enough that the vast majority of people won’t have to worry about it. More die-hard users will find it enough to play with, given how tvOS is aggressive at clearing out user storage.
Apple says that the A19 chip offers up to 50% faster performance and the GPU is twice as powerful. The new chip finally has native AV1 decoding as well, a long-sought feature.
Several big streamers have been using AV1 encoding for content as it offers nearly 50% better compression than both H.264 and HEVC. That means you can get higher quality content using less data.
Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime all stream some content in AV1. Just because Apple supports AV1 on the new Apple TV 4K doesn’t mean you’ll immediately see a benefit, as most apps will still need updates.
Finally on the hardware front, the latest Apple set-top box supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Like the last model, it supports Thread, which is now using version 1.4 as of tvOS 27.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Find my remote
Listening to Apple TV 4K users, the most requested feature I’ve heard has been improved tracking of the Siri Remote. It’s great that Apple gave us not only Precision Finding, but audio feedback on the updated remote.
Apple doesn’t explicitly state what it is using, but it’s not using Ultra Wideband for the tracking. Precision Finding is limited to newer devices, which lines up with ones that have Bluetooth 6.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: It’s easy to find the new Siri Remote
My assumption is Apple is using Channel Sounding, which works similarly to Ultra Wideband. It has centimeter-level precision when using the Find My app.
In my testing, it worked great on my iPhone 18 Pro. It was able to get a signal, even when my daughter hid the remote in another room.
Beyond Precision Finding, the remote can also chirp when lost. You can ask Siri on your phone, a nearby HomePod, or the Apple TV 4K itself to locate the remote and it will begin emitting a high-pitched beep.
There are no speaker holes on the remote as Apple is using a “tone inducer” rather than a traditional speaker. The chirp isn’t super loud, but even when I buried it in a plush blanket or shoved it within the couch cushions, it was loud enough to hear from a few feet away.
Without any speaker holes, the new remote is externally identical to the older remote. It still has the same touch-sensitive click wheel at the top, back, TV, play/pause, mute, and volume buttons and it charges over USB-C.
I’m a fan of the Siri Remote and have no complaints over the updated version. The metal is cool and comfortable in the hand, it’s got a good weight to it, and it’s easy to use.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Surround sound audio
Another new feature for the Apple TV 4K (2026) is the ability to use four HomePod speakers at once. This is for a persistent setup and not one-off times casting
The last generation could only use a pair of HomePod speakers, though it did offer Dolby Atmos support. Using full-size HomePods, I found the bass to be a bit sloppy so I opted for a soundbar.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Four HomePods can be used as speakers for the Apple TV 4K
I did want to test the new four-speaker setup and I did so using four of the new HomePod mini 2 speakers. For this to work, you can use any combination of HomePod (2nd generation) and HomePod mini 2 as long as they are in matching pairs.
For example, you could use four HomePod mini 2 speakers or put two full-size HomePods in the front and two HomePod mini 2s in the back. Once the speakers are configured, the Apple TV 4K automatically prompted me to use the room’s HomePods as the dedicated audio output.
Using the four mini HomePods, the audio was excellent. The Dolby Atmos spatial effect is noticeably better when you have actual rear speakers.
It also works better in a room like mine, where I have no back wall. Typically, the HomePods would try to mimic that Spatial Audio by bouncing the audio off the rear wall, but that was ineffective in an open-backed room as I have.
Apple also gives you the choice between true surround sound and Whole Room Audio. You can toggle between the two using Speaker Mode in Control Center.
Whole Room Audio plays the same audio from every speaker, which is great when you have a lot of people in the room and everyone can hear no matter where they are.
I also liked using Whole Room Audio at night. Even though Apple does have the Reduce Bass and voice enhancement adjustments, Whole Room Audio meant I could lower the volume and hear dialogue clearly from the speaker right behind my head.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Smart home & gaming
The Apple TV 4K is more than just a streaming box. It also acts as a smart home hub and, thanks to the App Store, a gaming system.
I’m a staunch Apple Home user and the Apple TV 4K has typically been my primary home hub since it’s wired into my network. A home hub for Apple Home is what helps process your security camera footage, runs automations, and enables encrypted remote access to your devices.
With the new model, I didn’t notice any speed improvements to my smart home devices, but everything continued to work as normal. It’s a Thread Border Router too, beneficial for devices that use the self-healing mesh standard.
I think Apple TV 4K is less successful as a gaming system. Apple Arcade has an ever-expanding selection of games, but few larger titles.
Apple has convinced devs to bring a few AAA titles to its platforms in recent years like Cyberpunkand No Man’s Sky, but none of them made it to the Apple TV 4K.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Setup screen for the new Apple TV 4K
This could have been the processor, as some of these titles need an A15 Pro at a minimum to operate. Maybe we’ll see a shift now that we have the A19 processor onboard.
There have long been rumors of Apple working on its own gaming controller. The Apple TV 4K would be a great venue for that, alongside iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
In my dream world, I could purchase a game that would work across all my devices and I could move freely and continue my progress from Apple TV 4K, to my iPad, to my Mac.
Sadly, I won’t be holding my breath for that experience any time in the near future.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Siri AI
Arguably, the best new feature for Apple TV 4K (2026) is Siri AI. It starts to bring the streaming box in line with HomePod mini 2, iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: You can choose which version of Siri you use, as well as adjust its capabilities
Part of Siri AI works locally on the device while part of it is offloaded to a paired iPhone. You must have an iPhone with Apple Intelligence in the home to use Siri AI on the Apple TV 4K.
When set up, your Apple TV 4K will create a direct connection with your iPhone that is on the same Wi-Fi to process requests. It will also work if a device was recently on the same Wi-Fi but is now using cellular.
It does this because part of what Siri AI has access to is your personal information on your phone. Things like your messages, so you can ask “let’s watch that show John just recommended.”
It sounds a little funky and confusing, but in practice it’s pretty simple. Setup was easy, I had to grant explicit access, and then it just worked.
Siri AI is not just personal knowledge, it also has much more broad world knowledge and information about some of the shows you watch. The former is straightforward, while the latter isn’t.
I tried a bunch of questions and Siri AI gave me answers easily. It pops up in the corner of the display as it listens to me, tells me it’s thinking, and then give me answers within a small popover or the full screen depending on what I’m asking.
I could ask about weather, sports, or just general questions about the world. I could also go back and forth with Siri AI.
One example I experienced was asking how the weather looked tomorrow. Siri AI gave me an answer, and I followed up saying “what about this weekend?”
Siri AI was able to retain that context and gave me the extra information.
Another example was while watching a show, I happened to see a short teaser for a new show, but I didn’t see the whole thing or the name. So I asked “what’s the new show Anthony Mackie has coming out?”
Siri AI asked if I was talking about 12 12 12, which I was. I followed up, asking if it had a trailer out yet, and it said yes before playing that trailer.
Finally, I asked Siri AI to add it to my watch list and wondered when it was coming out. All worked perfectly as expected and felt very natural.
Siri AI can provide information about what you’re watching, beyond what it could do before. It is deep knowledge that was shocking at times.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Siri AI gave me detailed information about the Apple TV shows I watch
For example, I was watching Ted Lasso and I asked what sunglasses Coach Beard was wearing. Siri AI was able to give me the exact pair of Ray-Bans he was sporting.
You can also inquire about when a show was filmed, what’s real and what’s not, who different actors are, when new episodes come out, where scenes were filmed, what cars they’re driving, and a whole lot more.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Siri AI is limited to seeing Apple TV content at launch
That comes with a big asterisk though. This currently only works with Apple TV content. Siri AI can’t access other shows because of DRM limitations and it only sees a black screen.
Apple has opened this up to developers though, so there is a chance we could see more Siri AI capabilities come to other third party apps.
All of this I did, not using the Siri Remote, but using the new microphones on the Apple TV 4K. The three far-field microphones picked up my voice, even across the room.
This is another killer feature for the box because it was so easy to control media or get my questions answered. If my phone rings, I don’t want to be looking around the room or even using Find My to locate the remote to pause my show.
The microphone on the Apple TV 4K is technically always-on, but when the Apple TV 4K is off, it is listening for keywords to turn on. Nothing else registers, saved, or recorded.
It’s similar to how Siri works on your iPhone, iPad, or HomePod. That does lead to one interesting scenario, which is finding the remote while the TV is off.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Siri can help find the new remote that also has Precision Finding
What you have to do is first wake up the Apple TV 4K, then ask it to find your Siri Remote. You can’t find the remote
I do wish that Siri AI did a little bit more. Recommendations, for instance, felt a bit shallow.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Siri AI recommendations are good, not great
They were good, and apparently personalized, but seemed high-level. I asked for easy comedy shows to put on in the background and it suggested Ted Lasso, Ghost, Parks and Recreation, among others.
I believe this is the same recommendation engine we got with tvOS 27. I’d have loved to see an Apple Intelligence-powered on-device personalized recommendation engine that always had fresh shows and movies to recommend based on what I watch and what is trending.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Developers are the missing piece
As is often the case, a lot of the holes for Apple TV 4K are due to developer support. Devs have frequently shunned many of the Apple TV 4K native features that would make it even better.
Apple has provided easy solutions for logging into apps and assigning content to profiles, but few support all of these features. Netflix still doesn’t support the Apple TV app queue or discovery.
I want to launch Hulu and have it automatically select my profile based on my Apple TV 4K profile, rather than make us choose each time. There’s no reason developers can’t do this, but almost every streaming app makes me choose who is watching.
As mentioned, we’re also still waiting for bigger games to come to Apple TV 4K. Now, we have to wait for Siri AI support too.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: A lot of greatness held back by price
The new Apple TV 4K is outstanding. Truly, top to bottom there is a lot to love.
It is unequivocally the best streaming box you can connect to your television. It’s fast, private, smart, powerful, and fun.
The speed is particularly noticeable with this update as the A19 chip flies. Opening apps, booting the Apple TV 4K, and starting videos all feel almost twice as fast as they were on my last-generation box.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: The new box looks just like the old one
But honestly, it’s incredibly hard to recommend everyone go out and buy a $300 streaming box. It’s a lot of money, especially right now.
There’s some justification for that price. For example, memory prices have skyrocketed. TechInsights says NAND pricing has risen sevenfold since 2023 and the new box has double the memory and a whopping 128GB of storage.
If you look at component pricing, that would put Apple’s COGS just for the SSD storage at roughly $30 in late 2026. If you accept a typical 4X modifier for determining MSRP, that one component contributes $120 to the price tag.
On top of that, there’s Apple’s custom silicon, premium construction, and the added costs of Apple’s environmental efforts.
Looking to the competition, the Google TV Streamer is $149 but only has 4GB of memory and 32GB of storage. Not to mention it has only Wi-Fi 5.
Amazon has its most capable Fire TV Cube for $199 MSRP and it has 2GB of memory, 16GB of storage, only Wi-Fi 6e, 10/100 Ethernet (not Gigabit), and lacks Thread.
When you compare the Apple TV 4K (2026) to those, the price doesn’t seem crazy. The problem is, those other devices frequently go on sale, and average consumers don’t pay much attention to Wi-Fi specs, memory amounts, or the speeds of the Ethernet ports.
They don’t need to. For most, video streamers to a television are appliances, not much different in the user’s eye to the box that the cable company provides. In some cases, the Apple TV is the cable box.
Staring at a store shelf, Apple TV 4K looks very similar to the Fire TV Cube or Google TV Streamer for two to three times the price. At about $150, it was an uphill battle for Apple. It’s just going to get worse.
Apple TV 4K is far better, more capable, and a better experience, especially for native Apple users. But what was only $69 a decade ago, now costs hundreds of dollars.
As a huge fan of TV and movies, I can justify it to myself. Not everyone can say the same.
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Pros
- A19 chip is super fast
- Excellent smart home hub for Apple Home
- Four HomePod surround works and sounds great
- Siri AI is a huge upgrade
- Far more powerful than the competition
Apple TV 4K (2026) review: Cons
- Price is going to be a dealbreaker for many
- Siri AI will require dev support for video content
- Still few apps that support Apple TV profiles, or AV1 decode
- Gaming still largely overlooked
Apple TV 4K (2026) rating: 4 out of 5
Where to buy the Apple TV 4K (2026)
The 2026 Apple TV 4K sells for $299, with retailers Amazon, B&H, and Expercom all carrying the streaming box.
Check out our Apple TV 4K Price Guide, which is updated throughout the day, to compare prices and view the latest availability.
