Apple products are designed so that the newest one is almost always the best one.
It doesn't always work out that way, of course, but the Apple TV 4K is not one of those exceptions. With support for 4K and HDR, a speedy new processor, and refreshed tvOS update, it's no stretch at all to say it's the best Apple TV the company has ever made.
It builds on everything that was great about the 2015 Apple TV while making significant improvements where they count. Even so, at a $179 starting price, it's difficult to justify the cost when there's so much competition.
The hardware is largely the same as the 2015 model, with a few exceptions: the box no longer has that random USB-C port on the back (no matter, because you couldn't use it anyway). The Siri Remote looks almost exactly the same, too. The menu button now has a raised white ring around it, which Apple says makes it easier to find without looking down (I didn't notice much of a difference but anything that makes the slippery remote more grippy is definitely good).
The biggest difference, of course, is that the new model supports 4K resolution video and HDR content, which still isn't something everyone needs in 2017. But even if you don't have a 4K TV, there's a good chance you'll get one before Apple updates its set-top box again so there's no reason not to future-proof yourself now.
IMAGE: KARISSA BELL/MASHABLE
IMAGE: KARISSA BELL/MASHABLE
There are other under-the-hood improvements as well: the whole thing is powered by Apple's new A10X Fusion chip, which delivers the performance boost necessary to handle 4K content. It also supports Gigabit Ethernet (even better for 4K streaming!) and better Wi-Fi so it can take advantage of a dedicated network for streaming, if you have one.
Seeing a theme here? Apple really wants to make 4K streaming as smooth and as fast as possible, which, again, is a very good thing.
The 4K problem
The biggest problem with 4K right now isn't that it requires more bandwidth to stream, but that there's still not that much content available to begin with — even less so with HDR. This is slowly changing, though.
Most of Netflix's original series are available in 4K (assuming you're willing to cough up more money for a premium subscription), and Hulu and other services are starting to have a decent amount of 4K titles available, too. Apple says its own library of 4K movies and shows is growing steadily — which it is, but since you have to buy those à la carte, costs can add up pretty quick.
One bit of good news, though: Apple has committed to keeping 4K prices the same as HD. And if a movie or show you previously bought in HD later becomes available in 4K, you'll automatically be able to watch the 4K version for free.
That could have a big payoff for people who have already invested a lot of money into buying content directly from Apple.
However, there's simply no getting around the fact that 4K content still makes up only a very small fraction of what's available. In the long term, Apple says it's doing its part to try and address this by working with studios and other content creators to encourage faster 4K adoption. (This, by the way, will benefit everyone — not just those who want to buy into Apple's ecosystem.)
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