Apple TV’s Identity Crisis: It’s Completely Lost Its Way
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen): Why the High Price and Old Siri Might Make You Think Twice
Hey there! If you’re thinking about buying the new Apple TV 4K, you might want to grab a snack and sit down. We need to talk about two big "uh-oh" moments with this device. Don’t worry—I’ll explain everything like we’re chatting over lemonade.
The Price Tag That Makes No Cents
Important Callout: The new Apple TV 4K is way more expensive than before—and way more expensive than its rivals—without giving you much new stuff for your money.
Let’s Break Down the Numbers
| Model | Price | What’s Inside |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level Apple TV 4K | $199 | A15 Bionic chip (5 years old), 4GB RAM |
| Higher-end Apple TV 4K | $249 | Same chip, more storage |
Wait… 67% price increase? Yep. The entry model jumped from $129 to $199. That’s a huge jump for a box that’s 4 years old on the outside and has a 5-year-old brain (the A15 chip) inside.
What Are You Actually Paying For?
- A pretty interface
- Apple ecosystem tie-in (AirPlay, HomeKit, etc.)
- The privilege of saying "I have an Apple TV"
But Here’s the Thing…
Most people just want to watch Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Hulu… and guess what? Every streaming stick does that. And they all look pretty much the same once you open the app. You sign in with a QR code on your phone—done.
The Competition Is Laughing All the Way to the Bank
| Device | Price | Does It Stream All Your Apps? |
|---|---|---|
| Google TV Streamer | $99 | Yes |
| Roku Streaming Stick | ~$50 | Yes |
| Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K | ~$50 | Yes |
| Apple TV 4K (New) | $199–$249 | Yes (but costs 2–4x more!) |
Bottom Line: Unless you really need Apple-specific features, you’re paying a "logo tax" for the exact same streaming experience.
Siri-ous Setbacks: The Assistant That Forgot to Grow Up
Important Callout: While Google and Amazon put modern AI in their $99 streamers, Apple shipped a $200+ box with the old, clueless Siri.
What the Others Got Right
| Platform | AI Assistant | What It Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Google TV Streamer | Gemini | Answer complex questions, control smart home, chat naturally |
| Amazon Fire TV | Alexa | Voice control, routines, info, skills |
| Apple TV 4K | Old Siri | "Play Ted Lasso." "What’s the weather?" …and that’s about it |
Wait—Apple Has New AI! Why Isn’t It Here?
Great question! Apple Intelligence (the new smart Siri) needs 8GB of RAM on iPhones/iPads/Macs. The Apple TV only has 4GB.
But… the Apple Watch Series 9 (also 2023) got the new Siri! It uses the S9 chip and leans on your nearby iPhone for heavy lifting.
So why not Apple TV? It’s always on your home Wi-Fi. Your iPhone is probably right there. It doesn’t need to generate Genmoji or read your emails—it just needs to answer questions like a normal 2024 assistant.
What Apple Could Have Done (But Didn’t)
- Put the conversational Siri (with world knowledge + ChatGPT) on Apple TV
- Use cloud processing (like the Watch does) so the 4GB RAM isn’t a problem
- At least pretend they care about keeping the box relevant
The Message This Sends: "We want your $200, but we won’t give you the AI everyone else gets for half the price."
Quick Summary: Should You Buy It?
| Buy If… | Skip If… |
|---|---|
| You’re deep in Apple ecosystem (HomeKit, AirPlay, Fitness+) | You just want Netflix/YouTube/Spotify |
| You must have the Apple TV interface | You’re budget-conscious |
| You don’t mind paying 2–4x more for the logo | You want a smart assistant that actually understands you |
| You have money to burn | You’d rather spend $99 on Google TV Streamer and get Gemini AI |
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: Is the Apple TV 4K (3rd gen) faster than the old one?
A: Not really. It uses the same A15 chip from 2021. It was fast then, but it’s not new fast.
Q: Can I use the new Siri on Apple TV if I have an iPhone nearby?
A: Nope. Apple didn’t enable it—even though the Apple Watch does exactly this. Frustrating, right?
Q: Does the Google TV Streamer really have Gemini AI for $99?
A: Yes! You get Google’s latest AI assistant built right in. It answers questions, controls your home, and actually understands you.
Q: Will Apple update the Apple TV with new Siri later?
A: Maybe? But they haven’t said so. And they had the chance to include it at launch.
Q: What’s the best value streamer right now?
A: Google TV Streamer ($99) — modern AI, great interface, half the price. Roku/Fire Stick (~$50) — if you just want apps and don’t care about AI.
Final Thought
The Apple TV 4K (3rd gen) is like a fancy coffee shop that charges $12 for a plain latte—and the barista still asks "What’s your name?" every time. Meanwhile, the shop next door sells a better latte for $3 and remembers your order.
Your move.