Cheaper Apple TV: what should and shouldn't be in it
Who would have thought: there has been no new version of the Apple TV for years and we may get two in less than two years different models. After 3.5 years, Apple released the Apple TV 4K 2021 in April last year and, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, a cheaper Apple TV is planned for later in 2022. The analyst talks about an Apple TV that ‘improves the cost structure’ and ‘close the gap with competitors’. Those seem cumbersome words for a cheaper Apple TV. The analyst does not indicate what is different about this model, but we do have our ideas.
First of all, we would like to emphasize that this is a rumor for the time being. It is far from certain that such a cheaper Apple TV will actually come, let alone at what price Apple wants to sell it. We also don't know yet what this Apple TV will look like and what it will be called. Apple TV mini? After the HomePod mini, that doesn't seem like a crazy idea at all.
#1 Delivery without remote control
If you now buy an Apple TV, you not only get the black box, but also an advanced remote control. Although we are very enthusiastic about the Siri Remote, you do not necessarily need it. In fact, all the functions of the remote control can also be found in the virtual version on your iPhone and iPad. You can even use your Apple Watch to control the Apple TV. By omitting the remote, Apple can bring a considerably cheaper Apple TV to the market (probably several tens cheaper). After all, the regular Chromecast does not come with a remote control either. If you still want a separate Siri Remote, you could still buy it later.
#2 No more Ethernet port
You can connect the current Apple TV in two ways: via WiFi or Ethernet. Wifi will be the most obvious option for most people and that is more than fine for streaming movies and series. A wired connection is often more reliable when it comes to online games, but who plays hardcore games on an Apple TV? The need for an Ethernet port is therefore a lot smaller than with, for example, a desktop Mac. After all, Apple's iMac and MacBooks no longer have Ethernet. And the comparable HomePod mini, which is also only used for streaming, also has no Ethernet on board. It won't make a huge difference in terms of cost savings, but it is a way for Apple to reduce the price slightly.
Apple could even choose to use a much smaller Chromecast-like HDMI stick. to make. If the Ethernet port is omitted, this offers Apple opportunities to make a much smaller version. The name Apple TV mini as we suggested it earlier in this article would suddenly make perfect sense.
#3 The full tvOS experience (almost)
What makes the Apple TV so strong against the competition is tvOS. The Apple TV's operating system is one of the reasons why you should choose Apple's media player. It works intuitively, quickly and beautifully with your other Apple devices such as your iPhone, iPad, HomePod mini and AirPods. With exclusive features like SharePlay, Siri and apps like Photos and Podcasts, you have a great all-in-one media player. If Apple is indeed going to release a cheaper Apple TV, we hope that all these features are also included in this model. The lower price makes it a lot more attractive to be within the tvOS and Apple ecosystem.
People often wonder what the difference is between an Apple TV or a television with AirPlay and TV app. “My television also has a built-in Apple TV?” is what you often hear. That is a lot more nuanced and there are still all kinds of reasons to choose an Apple TV. Those main reasons should be kept for a cheaper Apple TV.
#4 No Apple Arcade
Apple could opt for the cheaper Apple TV to cut a few features. In this way, it remains attractive to buy the more expensive Apple TV 4K, without depriving buyers of the cheaper version. An option that we think could be removed is the option of Apple Arcade games. Apple could market the cheaper Apple TV purely as a device for streaming media such as movies, series, music and podcasts. Then a slightly older chip can also be used, because you don't need that computing power for Apple Arcade games. Few people will complain that you can't play games on an Apple TV. And if you want that, there is always the more expensive current version. Or a real game console such as Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo Switch.
#5 4K, but no Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision
A cheaper Apple TV could replace the current Apple TV HD: the fourth generation that Apple released in 2015 (!) and still sells today. But with a price of €159,- we don't think it is really cheap yet. Ideally, you want Apple to be below €100. However, we don't like Apple releasing the cheaper Apple TV only with HD resolution. That is simply not of this time in 2022, not at all because all content from Apple TV+ is available in 4K. In addition, the vast majority of TVs today are equipped with 4K resolution. What Apple could ‘save on’ is the omission of Dolby Atmos and/or Dolby Vision. This does not work on all TVs and speakers. At the same time, this is a reason to opt for the more expensive version, while you can still make users who don't care about this curious about the new cheaper Apple TV.
What else would you like to see in a cheaper Apple TV? What convinces you to opt for a cheaper version? Or are you already a satisfied Apple TV user? Let us know in the comments.