Health · Top StoryMaria Diaz/ZDNET 3.8 / 5 Good Pros & Cons Upgraded processor Wi-Fi 7 support and ethernet port Hands-free Siri AI The remote has Precision Finding More expensive than previous model The updates may not be considered worth the price hike. Siri Remote is still thin and easy to drop. It’s been four years since Apple released a new streaming device, but the new 2026 Apple TV 4K is finally here.
It looks a lot like the 2022 version, but packs an upgraded A19 processor, support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, and includes hands-free Siri. Also: Apple TV 4K (2026) vs Apple TV 4K (2022): Is ‘Hey Siri’ worth twice the price? The biggest difference between the previous and the current Apple TV 4K model is the price: the original model launched at $149 four years ago, while the new model is significantly pricier at $299.
When it comes down to brass tacks, however, the new model is more of an iteration of the old one. More from ZDNET The 2026 Apple TV 4K works a lot like the old one, which is still quite snappy and reliable for daily use. The new A19 processor delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance and twice as fast GPU processing.
This translates into better responsiveness and smoother animations, especially in gaming. However, the 2022 model hasn’t deteriorated at the rate you’d expect from other streaming devices. A four-year-old Apple TV 4K doesn’t age the same way as a Fire TV Stick would — they’re in entirely different categories.
The Apple TV has always been faster and more responsive than many built-in smart TV operating systems, and that still holds true for the older version. Finally, hands-free Siri AI Siri is the biggest change to the Apple TV 4K, and the fact that you can finally use it hands-free takes the feature to the next level. I’d been hoping for a hands-free Siri option built into the Apple TV for years, but that’s not the kind of update you can get over the air.
Hands-free Siri requires a hardware upgrade. Specifically, a microphone array on the box itself to listen for your voice. The current Apple TV 4K model has three far-field microphones, letting you speak to Siri without lifting your remote, as you can with a HomePod or the new HomeView.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET The fact that you can access Siri AI on the new Apple TV 4K (provided you have an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone or iPad) means you can have more natural conversations with the virtual assistant. Instead of asking Siri to search for a specific movie title, I can ask it to “find something funny to watch” or ask questions while watching a show. You can also control your Apple smart home with your Apple TV 4K, which still acts as a hub, and view security camera feeds on your TV or turn on smart lights.
Also: HomeView with an arm? Apple reportedly plans $1,000 swiveling smart panel Apple appears to be striving to make the Apple TV 4K more than just a streaming box, especially given what it’s committed to bringing to the smart home market. The Apple TV 4K is meant for entertainment and home hub functionality, but it launches alongside the HomeView for a personalized smart home display and the HomePod mini 2 for rich audio and voice control.
All of this is threaded together by Siri AI for conversational and contextual control across devices, and it works. The HomePod mini 2 as an Apple TV 4K speaker Maria Diaz/ZDNET I used to circumvent the lack of hands-free Siri on my 2022 Apple TV 4K by connecting a HomePod to it to act as the TV’s audio output. This lets me use voice control through Siri for all things smart home, but also pause or resume media on my TV simply by asking Siri.
Also: The Siri AI waitlist is gone in iOS 27: How to try the beta today Speaking of using a HomePod to act as the Apple TV 4K’s audio output, the new streaming device supports surround sound by connecting four HomePods to it. Two HomePod or HomePod mini 2 speakers are required to set up the surround sound system — you can’t just connect random speakers to it. You can mix and match, however, as long as you have two matching speakers in each half of the system.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET This speaker setup elevates the Apple TV 4K experience because the Apple ecosystem integrations run so flawlessly. You can connect the HomePods to the streaming device and easily switch between speakers as needed, or use the system to AirPlay music from your iPhone or iPad. With the HomeView, the home theater system becomes a new set of speakers for playing media, and the transition is intuitive and instantaneous.
The new Siri Remote Maria Diaz/ZDNET The new Siri Remote finally supports Precision Finding through Find My, so you can locate your remote as you would an AirTag. The previous Siri Remote supported Bluetooth finding, which gave you an approximate location of the remote. With Precision Finding and an iPhone with support, the remote’s exact location can be determined without tearing apart your living room.
The Siri Remote, however, is just as thin and sneakily slick as the previous one, making it prone to slipping between couch cushions. I had my old remote encased in a silicone cover to keep it from easily getting buried in my sofa. Final thoughts Maria Diaz/ZDNET The Apple TV 4K is not just a great entertainment device for a heavily connected smart home, but it is the streaming device for the Apple-centric user.
For someone who loves the Apple ecosystem, this is the most logical and compelling streamer, and Apple’s attempt to make the TV a central part of its smart home ecosystem. For users with a 2022 Apple TV 4K at home, the upgrades may be interesting, but I agree that they’re not necessarily worth $299. This is especially true given that the older model is still quite fast and reliable, and there are ways to circumvent the lack of hands-free Siri.
Source: ZDNET
