Even if tvOS is behind in certain areas, the Apple TV 4K is still the finest streamer overall on the market because of its increased performance and the addition of HDR10 Plus.
You might not be aware of it, but the newest Apple TV 4K is set to go on sale to consumers on Friday. The first reviews of the new Apple TV 4K have been released in advance of that, along with a selection of hands-on videos. As we round them all up, see below.
TechCrunch:
If you own a 2021 Apple TV 4K, like I do, you probably aren't experiencing any performance issues. In fact, even though it is now six years old and I still use a first-generation Apple TV 4K, I doubt I could tell the difference between it and my 2021 Apple TV in a blind test.
However, the Apple TV 4K from 2022 does appear to typically speed up navigation between the Home Screen and apps, and maybe even within those apps. It also undoubtedly gives the Apple TV a boost when it comes to gaming, enabling it to keep up with the most graphically demanding Arcade and App Store games available. With the most recent tvOS update's improved controller compatibility and the A15's performance capabilities, the Apple TV is a better gaming console than ever.
A future feature that will soon be added to the new Apple TV 4K via a software update is also mentioned by TechCrunch:
Quick Media Moving (QMS VRR), which eliminates the brief blackout that now happens when switching between various frame rates for different media, is another fantastic video quality innovation that Apple has included here. You'll be aware of this if you have the frame rate matching feature enabled because it occurs practically every time you start streaming a real TV or movie from the majority of applications.
When it appears later this year as a result of a software upgrade, QMS will eliminate that blackout. The fact that it only applies to altering frame rates and not to changing color spaces, such as from standard- to high-dynamic-range content, prevents me from testing it, but it seems like a nice-to-have feature.
The Street:
The newest Apple TV 4K generation doesn't deviate all that much from the prior iteration. It's still a black box, but it's far smaller and lighter than the model before it. Its entire size has decreased by 20%, mostly as a result of the unit's height.
There is no longer a supporter of the additional design adjustments. Yes, the old Apple TV 4K featured a fan, but in all my time using it over many months, I've never once heard it turn on. But that's no longer present, which is evidence of the new A15 Bionic chip's effectiveness.
The Verge:
There is no longer a supporter of the additional design adjustments. Yes, the old Apple TV 4K featured a fan, but in all my time using it over many months, I've never once heard it turn on. But that's no longer present, which is evidence of the new A15 Bionic chip's effectiveness.