New Apple TV 4K remote’s best feature requires a newer iPhone model

Four years after releasing its previous streaming device, Apple has launched the 2026 Apple TV 4K priced at $299, representing a significant price jump from the $149 launch price of the 2022 model, according to ZDNET. While the new model shares a similar exterior to its predecessor, ZDNET reported that it packs an upgraded A19 processor, support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, alongside hands-free Siri. According to The Verge, the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K comes with 128GB of storage by default, whereas storage capacity was previously an upgrade option.

The new A19 processor, which first appeared in the iPhone 17 according to The Verge, delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance and twice as fast GPU processing, providing better responsiveness and smoother animations especially in gaming, ZDNET noted. Despite these internal improvements, ZDNET observed that the 2022 model remains quite fast and reliable for daily use, noting that a four-year-old Apple TV 4K does not age like a Fire TV Stick. Consequently, ZDNET argued that the upgrades may not be worth $299 for users who already own the 2022 version.

A major addition to the fourth-gen model is hands-free Siri, which ZDNET reported requires a hardware upgrade via three far-field microphones built directly onto the box itself. Alternatively, The Verge noted that when a HomePod is part of the TV 4K system, the HomePod microphones listen for 'Hey Siri' requests and communicate through Bluetooth. Furthermore, accessing Siri AI requires an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone or iPad on the same network, allowing the device to use personal context to answer requests like finding a show recommended in a text message.

However, reviewers noted mixed performance with Siri AI. The Verge described instances where Siri successfully opened shows like Pluribus from vague requests, but also struggled with voice recognition consistency and misinterpreted commands, such as playing music tracks instead of the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix. Additionally, 9to5Mac reported that the new Apple TV 4K remote's best feature—Precision Finding through Find My—requires a newer iPhone model to pinpoint the exact location of the thin, slip-prone aluminum remote without tearing apart the living room.

Another flagship feature highlighted by The Verge is home theater surround sound, which allows users to connect four HomePods to the Apple TV 4K for an immersive audio experience. ZDNET specified that two HomePod or HomePod mini 2 speakers are required for each half of the system, and users can mix and match as long as they have two matching speakers in each half. While The Verge called the all-Apple audio setup a lot of fun for watching pod races, the outlet concluded that the steep $300 price tag is hard to justify for users outside the Apple ecosystem.