Apple TV 4K Gains Onboard Mics and Better Processor, but Whoa, That Price

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The fourth-gen Apple TV 4K is now three times the price of Roku's top streamer.

Apple has unveiled its latest streaming box, the Apple TV 4K (fourth generation), which has a faster processor and onboard microphones for better integration with Siri AI. It’s coming in November for $299.

The new Apple TV has an updated A19 chip, which Apple says is 50% faster than the existing A15 processor and has twice the graphics performance. The TV 4K boasts 128GB of storage space which is the same as the previous flagship.

The new set-top box has three onboard far-field microphones for conversing with Siri, as well as a familiar-looking remote with a traditional microphone button. The remote also includes Find My with Precision Finding if it gets lost behind the cushions.

All of the relevant formats are included, such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and HDR10 Plus. You can now also create a four-speaker surround system by pairing the Apple TV 4K (fourth generation) and the new HomePod Mini 2.

At $299, though, the Apple TV is more expensive than every other premium streaming box on the market. For instance, it’s $200 more than the Roku Ultra and the (seemingly discontinued) Google TV. The outgoing Apple TV 4K (2022) recently had a price hike of its own, with the entry-level model leaping from $129 to $199, and the company blamed the increase on an electronics shortage also known as RAMageddon.

While it’s the most expensive streamer, the fourth-gen Apple TV 4K is also likely to be capable, especially if you’re a gamer. The outgoing TV 4K was great for streaming games via Steam Link or Xbox Remote Play, and the new box should be even better. For everyone else, who simply want to watch TV, a $50 streamer from Amazon or Roku should do just fine.

The new Apple TV 4K is available now for preorder at Apple’s website. It’s due in stores on Nov. 13.