Why I am shelving my outdated Apple TV

I am an enormous fan of the Apple TV 4K, and I am saying that as someone who has an ageing first-gen mannequin. Apple has since launched two extra generations, and rumors recommend a fourth technology is about to reach sooner or later in 2025. When that occurs, I am going to lastly pull the set off and make the leap.

Whereas there’s nothing inherently fallacious with my mannequin, it is overdue for an improve. Current updates have shut out my device fully, and I am afraid when one thing actually cool comes alongside like Apple Intelligence help, it will skip my first-gen mannequin too. It is already beginning on what appear to be staple items, so I haven’t got a lot hope my system could have the AI replace if it comes.

This type of factor is sure to occur with any piece of know-how, and I knew the writing was on the wall after I picked up my system used on eBay in 2024, because it was already seven years outdated at that time. It wasn’t till small issues began skipping the first-gen that I lastly determined sufficient was sufficient.

Apple TV 4K (2022)

Model

Apple

Bluetooth codecs

5.0

Wi-Fi

6

Ethernet

Gigabit (128GB mannequin solely)

Storage and RAM

64GB, 128GB

Time to go away the first-gen behind

The tip of an period

I need to preface that I am going to keep on using my first-gen Apple TV 4K so long as it really works, but it surely’ll be in its retirement dwelling of types. After I get a brand new mannequin, it will greater than doubtless transfer to both my bed room TV or within the basement, because it’s nonetheless higher than utilizing the bottom good TV UI. I do not want cutting-edge options in my bed room since I am principally watching one thing earlier than going to sleep, so it would not matter if it is lacking out on options like completely different side ratios.

The timing for an improve is apparent, contemplating I am lacking out on what seem to be very primary options like Snoopy backgrounds that arrived within the newest tvOS replace in December. It is exhausting to imagine a first-gen mannequin is not able to operating a easy background, so it is likely to be Apple phasing out the system in any case these years. After I cannot even get updates like that anymore, I do know that I am holding onto one thing for too lengthy. To be honest, I’ve had my eye on a brand new Apple TV 4K for some time since I needed one for one more room, so it is solely proper that I get a more moderen one.

Contemplating how lengthy the first-gen system has been kicking, I’ve little question that grabbing a third-gen mannequin even earlier than the discharge of a fourth-gen can be value it. I’ll stay affected person and hope Apple proclaims a fourth-gen this yr, nonetheless.

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Expertise is making an enormous leap

I hope there are extra options

Apple / Pocket-lint

Expertise modifications drastically from yr to yr, and after I take a look at a tool that was launched in 2017 in comparison with 2025, rather a lot is completely different. To place that into perspective, that might find yourself being the identical run the Change had if Nintendo decides to launch it in 2025.

Whereas Apple has made quite a lot of positive aspects through the years, the Apple TV 4K hasn’t essentially reaped all of the rewards. Apple Intelligence is an enormous one I discussed earlier that not one of the fashions have entry to but, but it surely’s simple to examine them having sooner or later. One other factor I might prefer to see is an upgraded processor, and if Apple borrows the chip from the Mac Mini, I would not thoughts it.

With Apple Arcade being one thing Apple would not appear intent on abandoning, it will make quite a lot of sense to provide the Apple TV 4K sufficient juice to play video games natively. The varieties of video games that hit Apple Arcade do not require rather a lot to run within the first place, however with beefier {hardware}, the Apple TV 4K may deal with even bigger video games, and it may very well be a step towards Apple getting a gaming console of types into folks’s dwelling rooms. It isn’t clear if Apple needs to ever go down that path, but it surely’s actually a chance.

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Regardless of the age of my Apple TV 4K, I haven’t got any main issues with its efficiency. There are some moments the place it locks up after opening up too many apps, but it surely’s simple to shut out of them and begin contemporary once more. I am pleased with the lifespan of my mannequin, and I think about it will get many extra years of service as soon as I retire it to a distinct room the place it will get used much less.

A brand new mannequin is not confirmed but

Hold your fingers crossed

Apple / Pocket-lint

I preserve speaking a few new mannequin, but it surely’s not even confirmed if Apple plans on releasing one. As we transfer into 2025, it is now the longest wait between generations we have seen but, so you may take a look at it as being overdue for one, however you may also see it as one thing that is not taking place.

I am within the boat of considering {that a} new technology being around the corner as a result of Apple retains rolling out updates for the system, so it’d make sense for the tech authority to proceed pushing new {hardware}. Though Apple TV+ is not the very best streaming service on the earth, it should even be essential for the tech big to have a devoted dwelling for the app.

Even when Apple would not plan on popping out with a brand new technology this yr, I am going to make the leap to a third-gen mannequin as a result of I need to have the newest options and a product that also receives the brand new updates. Finally, I am not lacking out on a ton by not having the latest technology, but it surely’d be good to know my mannequin is supported by the point one thing main comes alongside that I do not need to miss out on.

The Apple TV 4K is much and away my favourite streaming system, so I am enthusiastic about no matter kind of updates it will get. The one draw back I can actually consider is its value, and even now, years after its launch, the third-gen system nonetheless goes for $150. I’d’ve purchased an additional one some time in the past if it ever had a notable sale, but it surely would not seem to be Apple’s even open to that. Hopefully, I will pay the complete value on a 2025 mannequin as an alternative of an older one, so I am going to preserve my fingers crossed that it turns into a actuality.

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