Apple TV 4K 2021 vs Roku vs Chromecast vs Amazon Fire price and streaming
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On the hook for billions of losses, after streaming services like Netflix or Spotify balked at and circumvented the 15%-30% cut Apple takes from subscriptions sold via the App Store, the team from Cupertino decided to futureproof its revenue stream from services by taking the fight directly to the competition.
Well, streaming subscriptions have outpaced cable now, and Apple just announced new TV 4K box to go with its own TV+ streaming service whose free trial period is on the cusp of expiration. This is why we are comparing the new Apple tvOS box against its predecessor, and some notables from the competition.
We'll quickly compare the two generations of Apple TV boxes, as those of you who have the former would like be wondering if it's going to be worth it upgrading to the latter, and then list in cold hard specs whether the new Apple TV box stands any chance against the much cheaper competitors. Well, specs don't tell the whole story, as there is the smooth and familiar tvOS interface to consider as well, but still.
Keep in mind that right now, these products are available at retail prices. However, discounts do appear sometimes: for example, the Amazon Cube was generously discounted for Prime Day last year, so something similar can happen this year too.
New Apple TV 4K 2021 vs old Apple TV 2017 vs Roku vs Chromecast vs Amazon Fire TV
Apple TV 4K 2021 vs old Apple TV 2017, should you upgrade?
- About the same $179 starting price as Apple TV 4K 2017.
- More powerful A12 Bionic chip instead of A10X Fusion.
- Much faster Wi-fi 6, Bluetooth 5 and HDMI 2.1 connectivity
- Dolby Vision at 60fps streaming (FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TV, and Canal+ content exp.).
- Videos shot on iPhone 12 Pro can now be displayed in 60fps Dolby Vision HDR.
- New Color Balance option calibrates a TV using your iPhone.
- New Siri Remote with TV controls.
Will the new Apple TV 2021 remote work with old Apple TV?
Yes, Apple is selling the new Siri Remote with TV controls as separate replacement for $59, and it functions with older Apple TV models.
New Apple TV 4K 2021 vs Roku vs Chromecast vs Amazon Fire TV
| Apple TV 4K 2021 | Roku Ultra | Chromecast with Android TV | Fire TV Cube | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $179/$199 (32GB/64GB) | $99.99 | $49.99 (8GB) | $119.99 (16GB) |
| Dolby Vision 4K HDR | Yes, at 60fps | Yes, at 60fps | Yes, at 60fps | Yes, at 60fps |
| Ethernet port | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi‑Fi 6 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 802.11ac |
| Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max, Peacock, Hulu with Live TV, Pluto, and more. | Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max, Peacock, Hulu with Live TV, Apple TV+, The Roku Channel, Showtime, Google Play, and more. | Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max, Peacock, Hulu with Live TV, Apple TV+, Showtime, Sling, EPIX, Starz, Google Play, and more. | Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV+, STARZ, SHOWTIME, Paramount+, and more. |
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