Comparing Smart Streaming Devices: Apple TV Vs. Roku Vs. Chromecast - Which One Reigns Supreme?

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Apple TV Advantages Compared with Roku and Chromecast

By Abby Poole ｜Last updated on Apr 13, 2021

The Apple TV lets you stream all the video content in the iTunes Store to your HDTV, with purchases stored in the cloud. Netflix, Hulu, HBO, YouTube and dozens of other online services are available, plus music, videos, and photos can be streamed from iOS devices using AirPlay, which are all Apple TV strengths obviously. But are these enough for Apple TV? Surely not.

The new Apple TV was available on Oct 30, 2015, which turns disadvantages to Apple TV advantages on app store, Siri, remote control etc., enhancing a better users’ experience of watching movies on Apple TV , playing games and so on.

Part 1: What’s New for Apple TV 2022

NO.1 Pros of Apple TV 6: App Store

Apple CEO Tim Cook believes that the future of television is in apps. He made sure that everyone knew that apps were the key element of not only the hardware but its TV platform as whole…say hello to Apple TV 2022. The new Apple TV corrected the shortcomings that it lacks of app stores of old Apple TV, allowing users to search and buy apps from iTunes directly rather than via iPhone iPad devices.
Also see Apple TV Supported Audio Video Formats

NO.2 Benefits of Apple TV : tvOS 12

Apple announced four new operating systems at WWDC 2020 including macOS Big Sur, iOS 12 , watchOS 4 and tvOS 12. Even though there isn’t any detailed information of this update apart from Amazon Video support, Apple fans have high expectation for tvOS 12. As is known to all, tvOS is based on iOS and allows for the ability to add apps and games to your Apple TV just as you do to your iPhone–through a dedicated app store. tvOS 12 also features Dolby Atmos audio, new Siri, iOS 12 integration, improved music apps and more.
Click to see: Top iPhone 8 Pros and Cons

NO.3 Apple TV Advantages: New Siri features

Earlier Apple TV models improved the Siri voice-recognition, fixing old Apple TV disadvantages on Siri. Basically, Siri now knows the content of what you are watching and searching for. At least, Siri has been powered up and now knows the difference between classic James Bond and the ones with Timothy Dalton provided that you don’t have a strange accent. Besides, the new Apple TV 6 gets new Siri features like Find My iPhone, and additional new Siri knowledge of food, celebrities, etc.

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NO.4 Apple TV Pros: Remote Control with Touch-pad

With three different Apple Watch categories, two face sizes and a collection of straps, a bevy of options are available. As remarked by an Apple fan, Apple is thinking for more than one type of customer. Obviously, everyone is gonna find their favorite from the 34 different Apple Watches models.

NO.5 Apple TV Benefits: Developer Ecosystem

Apple makes high-quality products. That is what it has always done. The new Apple TV is no different. On top of the elegance, Apple has the leading app developer ecosystem in the world. It means that if the new Apple TV can prove that it is a substantial consumer hit, this developer ecosystem will flock to it, just like what they have done on iPhone iPad.

Conclusion: The new Apple product – Apple TV 6 features with piles of advantages on apspects as below:

A beefier processor with Apple’s 64-bit A11 chip
Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology and 802.11ac WiFi with MIMO as well as IR receiver on top box.
Apple’s intelligent assistant, Siri, which will rewind for you betterin seconds.
App stores are available on Apple TV 4 so that you can buy your desired apps on Apple TV without the help of iPhone or iPad.
With all these Apple TV strengths, even if it’s a little bit expensive, $149 for 32 bit and $199 for 64 bit, customers still have a lot of loyalty to this new Apple TV products.

Part 2: What’s the Advantages of Apple TV

Apple TV, Chromecast, The Roku 4, used by almost customers to turn HDTVs into smart HDTVs . Largely speaking, they’re cheap, easy to use and simply rest around the back of your HDTV, adding in tons of useful features like screen-mirroring, apps and streaming services. But it’s a battle of video streams, Apple TV, Chromecast and Roku all want to seize the market. What Apple TV pros induce users to choose it instead of others?

Apple TV Advantages vs Roku 4

Nowadays Apple TV hitting stores, the tech giant continues to compete with Roku’s similar device over who will dominate the streaming market. Roku still is one of the top choice of users. The latest Roku 4 deserves more attention. It has the similar remote which connects with the set-top box through the WiFi network, allowing you say it and steam it no matter with headphone on or not. As for the advantages of Apple TV vs Roku 4, they both own nice streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Google Play etc. Roku 4 provides access to 2,500+ channels on demand offering 300,000+ movies and TV episodes, and the ability to search across more than 20 top streaming channels to find the best price and option.

Salient features:

Amazing content, endless choice to follow your favorite movies, shows and more
Featured with lost remote finder to tell you where it is
Made for your 4K Ultra HD or HD TV of brilliant picture quality
Works with your phone or tablet
Stream DVD to Apple TV for family movie night.
Fun games at your fingertips

Apple TV vs Chromecast: Chromecast 2

Compared with the pros of Apple TV and Roku, the biggest advantage of Chromecast is the cheap price, only $35. It looks cool, and for those who has already had Chromecast, update to Chromecast 2 for free is the best choice. Moreover, it shows you a selection of the TV shows, movies, and YouTube clips available to stream video to your Chromecast .

However, there still some disadvantages of Chormecast compared with Roku and Apple TV, for example, it has no interface. All the content you view on your Chromecast-connected TV is streamed directly from your mobile device. Still, The Chromecast doesn’t include a physical remote at all.

Salient features:

Thousands of apps for movies, shows and moreUnlimited entertainment, all on your schedule	Easily cast music, without the hassle of pairing Also support streaming DVD movie to Chromecast

Part 3: Apple TV vs Roku 4 vs Chromecast: Specs Comparison

Parameter	Apple TV	Roku 4	Chromecast 2
Price	$149/$199	$129	$35
RAM	2GB	1.5GB	512MB
Processor	Dual-core A11 chip	Speedier Quad-core processor	Marvell Armada 1500 Mini Plus 88DE3006 SoC, 1.2GHz dual ARM Cortex-A7 processors
Connectivity	10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0	802.11ac MIMO dual-band wireless 10/100 Base-T Ethernet	HDMI (can use CEC) Wi-Fi (802.11 ac @ 2.4/5 GHz) Ethernet (with optional USB adapter)
Maximum Streaming Resolutions Supported	4K UHD	4K UHD	1080P

From the comparison above, we can clearly find that Apple TV advantages in watching movies and playing games. Thus even though the price is a little bit higher than Roku and Chomecast, costumers still have high loyalty for this Apple TV product especially for those who have already own other Apple devices such as Mac computer, iPhone, iPad Mini, etc.

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Comparing Smart Streaming Devices: Apple TV Vs. Roku Vs. Chromecast - Which One Reigns Supreme?