Summary
- Apple TV 4K boasts ad-free interface
- Resistance to UI overhaul due to satisfaction
- Concern for support of older Apple TV models
Say what you will about the Apple TV 4K — it’s too expensive, and it doesn’t play nicely outside the Apple ecosystem — but it’s still my streaming box of choice in my living room. A big part of that is due to its user interface, and Apple’s unmatched there if you ask me. The major selling point is the fact there are no ads on the Apple TV homescreen, something no other box can say. I also have a Roku Ultra in my bedroom, so I know what an interface is like when it has ads. It’s not like the Roku doesn’t get the job done, but I certainly prefer the cleaner look of the Apple TV 4K.
Recent reports have indicated Apple is planning to give its tvOS an overhaul, and that gives me pause. I don’t particularly see a reason for this to happen, as I’m perfectly happy with the way things work currently. Apple wants to unify all its devices with a similar-looking interface, allowing for seamless transitions between them, so I can’t fault them on that end. The problem I have is that I’m happy with the way things are, and any change could introduce problems I don’t have right now. This commonly happens with UI redesigns for any app, and I eventually get used to those, so I might be jumping the gun. Then again, there are still a good number of people who use the old Reddit layout. Plus, this could end up creating a dilemma for original Apple TV owners.
- Brand
-
Apple
- Bluetooth codecs
-
5.0
- Wi-Fi
-
6
- Ethernet
-
Gigabit (128GB model only)
- Storage and RAM
-
64GB, 128GB
Related
How I turned my Apple TV 4K into a retro gaming powerhouse
The Apple TV 4K is a surprisingly competent gaming machine.
Don’t fix what isn’t broken
There’s no need to change
Apple
Nobody is going to sit here and tell you the Apple TV layout is the epitome of design, but I don’t think there’s another streamer available today that does better than it. Everything is laid out on the home page with easy-to-read icons, and there’s nothing I can ask it to do better than that. There’s nothing clunky, everything’s snappy, and there’s not an ad to be seen.
I can see how somebody might think it’s a bit plain, but I don’t think that’s a problem for an interface where all I want is organization. Nobody can ever get lost navigating through an Apple TV 4K home screen, and that’s a huge selling point for somebody who isn’t very tech-savvy. Then again, I’m used to the interface, considering I’ve used it for so long, so I might be biased here. Change is always difficult to get used to, and that’s especially the case if it’s something that doesn’t have any noticeable issues.
Another reason why I’m resistant to change like this is that the Apple TV 4K is the only Apple product I have. I don’t care if it starts to look like my Apple Watch or iPhone because I don’t have one. I don’t have anything else to compare it to, and since I’m a creature of habit, I’d hate to see the change come. Overhauls are often inevitable, and it’s been a very long time since Apple switched it up. In the case of tvOS, it’s practically the same design as it was when it first launched a decade ago. Looking at it from that perspective, it feels like a miracle that it’s remained unchanged. If you compare it to other Apple devices, the Apple TV has a unique look that may not remain that way for long.
I would much rather see Apple put manpower into adding passthrough audio to the Apple TV 4K. It’s ridiculous to me that we still don’t have this functionality in 2025 while the Roku Ultra, a cheaper streaming box, has it available. Unfortunately, Apple seems more likely to overhaul the UI, and that change could prove to be the death blow for the older Apple TVs.
Apple TV’s clock is ticking
Could be time for an upgrade
Apple / Vecislavas Popa / Pexels / Pocket-lint
I have a first-generation Apple TV 4K, and it has already started missing out on many updates. Even Snoopy backgrounds aren’t available for me, so it’s clear its days are numbered. If things are already rough for me, imagine people who haven’t even upgraded to the Apple TV 4K.
There are still people out there who have a regular Apple TV, and from the sounds of things, this UI update could be the killing blow. To be fair, most people who are interested in 4K have likely made the leap, but the old Apple TV is perfectly fine for people still using a 1080p TV. I know it’s not getting the latest updates, but I have no idea what a tvOS update like this would look like on a much older device. It sounds like it might be hardware-intensive, and I’m not sure if the older Apple TV is up to the task.
If I’m being honest, I’m not even sure my Apple TV 4K can handle the update. Considering things like backgrounds aren’t even coming via tvOS updates, I’m not sure an entire UI overhaul could happen. If Apple plans to bring over Apple Intelligence, something I think would be foolish not to consider, then I’d most likely need beefier hardware there too. The reality is that my device is closing in on a decade old, and the Apple TVs before it are even older. I’m glad Apple has supported it for this long, but I don’t know how much longer it can last. Change is coming, and that means newer hardware is needed to support it. I just wish it was spent on something actually game-changing for Apple TV owners instead of an interface update.
Fortunately, we’ll have the answer to just about any question once WWDC kicks off on June 9. I hope that Apple announces a new Apple TV 4K generation because a UI overhaul doesn’t get me too excited. I’ve been holding off on getting a new Apple TV since I don’t want to pay full price for a third-gen model that’s already three years old. I’d much rather pay that price for something brand new, so I have my fingers crossed that an announcement is coming. Many signs have pointed towards 2025 being the year one gets announced, and Apple is quickly running out of time to make it happen.
Related
Why I’m probably stuck with Apple TV forever
If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward streaming platform, the Apple TV can’t be beat.
