Apple is beefing up its living room offerings with the third-generation Apple TV 4K. This small, understated, and compact black streaming box promises to transform any TV into a true smart hub while delivering a seamless experience and seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem. At first glance, everything is designed to make the user feel immediately at home, whether with the tvOS interface, AirPlay, or continuity with the brand's other devices.
But at a time when TVs are already connected, operator boxes are widely equipped, and streaming services are ubiquitous, the question arises: does investing 169 euros in a dedicated streaming box still make sense? We spent several months testing this device in all possible streaming scenarios, including local content, cloud gaming, audio, video, and Apple integration, to deliver a comprehensive, immersive, and uncompromising verdict.
- Picture and sound quality are guaranteed, with 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos for complete immersion .
- Very fluid and intuitive , tvOS is pleasant to use and the applications follow one another without latency .
Table of Contents
A minimalist design that blends into the decor
Upon opening the Apple TV 4K packaging, you'll find Apple's signature design: simplicity and minimalism. The Apple TV 4K streaming box has shrunk by 20% compared to the previous generation, both in height and width. This reduction is explained by the elimination of the fan, made possible by the integration of the A15 Bionic chip, which is more efficient and less power-hungry than the previous A12.
At 93 mm square, 31 mm thick, and weighing just 208 grams, the Apple TV 4K is incredibly discreet. No blinking LEDs, no whirring fans: placed on the TV stand or attached behind the screen, you almost forget it's there. The design echoes the codes of the latest Mac mini, with a matte black casing that blends naturally into any living room, discreet but elegant, as if the technology wanted to be forgotten to better serve the user experience.
Deliberately limited connectivity
On the back of the Apple TV 4K, Apple has opted to offer only the essentials: an HDMI port and the power connector. The power supply integrated directly into the case is a real convenience for everyday use, no more bulky transformers lying around behind the TV stand. The brand offers two versions: one with Wi-Fi only at 169 euros and the other with an Ethernet port at 189 euros, which also adds support for the Matter protocol to easily control your connected devices.
Despite this simplicity, some frustrations remain. No HDMI cable is included in the Apple TV 4K box, forcing some users to improvise or purchase a new essential accessory. Even more annoying, the complete lack of optical or coaxial audio output requires using the TV's HDMI output or a compatible soundbar. For such an integrated and discreet device, this is a compromise that's easy to accept in everyday use, but it may make fans of more complex audio setups cringe.
The Siri Remote: between elegance and compromise
The included remote perfectly embodies the Apple ethos: a beautifully crafted object that immediately inspires admiration, but isn't universally loved once you hold it. Carved from a solid block of brushed aluminum with black buttons, it evokes the first iPods thanks to its circular touchpad surrounded by four directional buttons—a nostalgic nod that works visually and underlines the attention to detail.
In hand, the experience is more nuanced. The cool aluminum gives an undeniable premium feel, but the remote remains narrow and slippery, and its marked edges don't encourage prolonged use. The touchpad, while precise, sometimes causes accidental manipulations: involuntary fast-forwarding, unwanted swipes, or chaotic menu navigation. Fortunately, Apple has thought of everything: in the settings, it's possible to disable the touch function to return to classic button navigation, a setting that we end up adopting immediately because it simplifies life.
This generation also ushers in the shift to USB-C, replacing Lightning with a universal standard. It's convenient for charging, but Apple didn't see fit to include the cable in the box, forcing some users to search for or purchase an additional accessory—a shame for a brand that prides itself on its simplicity.
Finally, the iPhone's remote control tracking feature is a truly clever feature. Like an AirTag, it lets you find the object when it slips down the couch or behind a cushion, saving you precious minutes searching for it. It's a small detail that clearly illustrates Apple's focus on user experience, even if some compromises remain on the ergonomic side.
Under the hood: power that prepares for the future
The Apple TV 4K houses the A15 Bionic chip, the same one that powered the iPhone 13. Three years after its release, it still impresses with its responsiveness. In everyday navigation, there isn't necessarily a huge difference compared to the previous generation equipped with the A12 Bionic, but every menu opens instantly, every transition is smooth, and animations flow without a hitch. The overall impression is of a device that never suffers from hesitation.
This power really shines in two ways. First, it guarantees software support for several years, which is reassuring for a streaming box you want to keep for a long time. Second, it allows you to enjoy Apple Arcade in good conditions. Games like Ocean Horn 2, Mutazione, or LEGO Builder's Journey run perfectly, without slowdowns, and the ability to connect an Xbox, PlayStation, or MFI controller makes the experience truly immersive. It almost feels like you're holding a small home console in your hands.
We regret the absence of cloud gaming like Xbox Game Pass or GeForce Now, which would have allowed Apple TV to take gaming to a more ambitious level. It's the kind of detail that suggests what a future iteration could be: a true all-in-one multimedia and gaming entertainment center.
When it comes to video and audio, Apple makes no compromises. 4K playback at 60 frames per second, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HDR10, and HDR10+ transform the home theater experience. On a decent living room screen, every scene gains depth, contrast, and color. Explosions in action movies or landscape details in documentaries come to life, and Dolby Atmos' immersive sound enhances the experience. Even this small black box is quickly forgotten, as it effectively immerses the user in the content.
TVOS 16: sober, fluid, but perfectible
The tvOS interface remains a model of clarity and fluidity. Nothing distracts the user: no intrusive ads, no unnecessary pre-installed apps. You choose what you want from the App Store and organize the tiles as you wish. Navigation is instantaneous, animations slide naturally, and even after several weeks of intensive use, no lag spoils the experience. Everything seems designed to disappear behind the content and give the user control of their living room.
The dock at the bottom of the screen houses our favorite apps, while a dynamic area above highlights content based on the app currently open: slideshows for Apple TV+, current series on Netflix or Prime Video, anime episodes on Crunchyroll. It's both aesthetically pleasing and functional, with each app opening offering a smooth transition that makes it feel like the device is anticipating our desires.
Despite this elegance, some limitations appear. The "TV" tab, which is supposed to centralize all our content, remains a confusing hodgepodge. Current series, Siri suggestions, Apple TV+ content, iTunes purchases, and rentals are all mixed together, making navigation less intuitive than one might hope. A thorough overhaul would be useful to simplify and streamline access to this content.
A notable highlight: profile management. Each family member can have their own account, with preferences, history, and personalized recommendations. In a household with diverse tastes, this is a real plus that makes the experience more personalized and immersive.
Siri: Smarter than before, but still limited
Siri's new interface now fits discreetly into the bottom right corner of the screen, a detail that makes it less intrusive while still remaining accessible. You can ask it to launch a movie, search for specific content, or even adjust certain settings. In practice, voice recognition works quite well, with a responsiveness that's pleasantly surprising for a streaming box of this size.
Apple is also promising a long-awaited feature: multi-user voice recognition. If multiple people are using the Apple TV, Siri should be able to identify who's speaking and automatically switch to the correct profile, providing a perfectly personalized experience. During our testing, this feature wasn't yet active, but it hints at a future where voice interaction could become central to navigating and controlling the set-top box.
The Apple ecosystem: where everything makes sense
This is where the Apple TV reveals its true nature. On its own, the box remains an excellent media center, fluid and responsive. But integrated into the Apple ecosystem, it becomes almost indispensable. With an iPhone or iPad, the experience unfolds fully: AirPlay allows you to send content in an instant, Face ID facilitates iTunes purchases via Apple Pay, the virtual keyboard automatically appears on the phone to enter a search, and the virtual remote takes over if the physical one is forgotten. The initial setup is child's play: you bring the iPhone close to the box and all the connection information syncs instantly, as if by magic.
Apple TV also knows how to be discreet while offering exceptional audio comfort. Connected to AirPods or AirPods Max, it lets you watch movies and series without disturbing anyone, with the added bonus of spatial audio support. Better still, you can connect two pairs simultaneously to share the experience with someone else. Apple Music integrates seamlessly: the entire library is accessible, lyrics are displayed in real time for impromptu karaoke, and the audio quality remains optimal.
The box also becomes a true activity center. With Apple Fitness+, the living room becomes a gym, and exercise tracking is done in real time thanks to the Apple Watch. HomeKit makes the Apple TV the central hub of the connected home, provided you have the Matter-compatible Ethernet version. And with the Photos app, all your iCloud images, including shared albums, appear on the big screen, bringing your memories back to life in a new light.
In short, Apple TV doesn't just stream content: it connects all your devices and transforms the living room into an interactive, intelligent space where every feature seems designed to simplify and enrich the user experience.
But then, what is it really for?
This is the question everyone is asking in 2025. Most TVs already include a connected system: Google TV, Fire TV, Tizen OS from Samsung, or webOS from LG. They provide access to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and even support AirPlay 2. Why spend an extra 169 euros for a streaming box like the Apple TV 4K?
The answer is revealed in practice. The interface of even the latest televisions is often confusing, full of ads and sponsored apps. Apple TV offers a sleek, fluid, and fully customizable experience. Navigation is instantaneous, each menu responds without the slightest lag, and the interface remains consistent even after years of intensive use.
The App Store opens up a world of apps that most smart TVs don't offer: fitness, education, games, productivity... Apps designed for the living room but also to take advantage of the Apple ecosystem. Durability is another argument: a smart TV can age quickly on the software side, while the Apple TV will benefit from updates for at least 5 to 7 years, keeping the box always up to date.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the Apple ecosystem transforms the experience into something seamless and coherent. AirPlay, Apple Music, Photos, Apple Arcade, HomeKit… each device interacts with the box to create a true centralized multimedia hub.
Let's face it, if you're not already in the Apple ecosystem, interest is dwindling. A Chromecast with Google TV or a Fire TV Stick will provide 80% of the features for a fraction of the price. But for those already living with iPhones, iPads, and Macs, the Apple TV 4K is quickly becoming much more than just a streaming box: it's the digital heart of the living room.
✔ Absolute fluidity
✔ Ad-free interface
✔ Apple ecosystem integration
✔ Discreet design
✔ Premium remote control
✔ Excellent video/audio formats
✔ Guaranteed updates for years
✖ High price
✖ Limited connectivity
✖ No HDMI cable included
✖ Limited interest outside the Apple ecosystem
✖ No native cloud gaming
✖ Poorly designed TV tab
✖ Touch remote control could be improved
Final verdict: a niche product, excellent in its field
The 2022 Apple TV 4K is a paradox. Technically, it sets the standard : fluid, powerful, perfectly designed, and beautifully integrated into the Apple niche product that struggles to convince the general public. It shines especially for those who know how to take advantage of the Apple universe and who want a flawless Media Center .
It is aimed at Apple users who want to harmonize their ecosystem, demanding users who can no longer stand the wobbly interfaces of connected TVs, owners of old screens who want to modernize them without changing their hardware, and movie buffs looking for the best possible image and sound quality.
Conversely, Android economical streaming box can perfectly do without it.
For Apple to transform the Apple TV into a must-have for every living room, it will have to go further: integrate a HomePod for immersive sound, add a camera for FaceTime as announced for 2025, offer a soundbar with integrated Apple TV, and above all, open access to cloud gaming to compete with multi-platform solutions. In short, create a unique streaming box that offers something new, and not just a duplicate of what many already own.
In the meantime, the Apple TV 4K remains the best media center on the market for those willing to invest in it and already living in the Apple universe. For everyone else, it's a dispensable, elegant but optional luxury.
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