Google TV: Will It Be Better Than Apple TV

The new and improved Apple TV 4K (2021) improves on its predecessor thanks to an upgraded Siri remote and an A12 Bionic processor. The streaming box also supports 4K HDR support with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision and will eventually allow viewing in 4K at 120 Hz.

Because TCL Google TV perfectly matches these two types of TV boxes, it is up to you to choose one between them. If you wish to opt for a high-class, wide variety of channels but are restricted to Airplay, you can opt for Apple TV. Still, if you want a full Google Eco, a better combination, more economical, and simpler, then Chromecast will do the trick. However, the only way to enjoy the maximum benefits of a TV box is to choose a good Google TV first. In this case, TCL Google TV C835 is worth saying. It allows downloading the Apple TV+ app, so there will be another solution to your hesitation between the two TV boxes.

Google TV: Will it be better than Apple TV

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Roku is our favorite streaming system, with the most streaming app options, the simplest streaming platform interface and the best search. It also has a content-agnostic platform that doesn't push any one media streaming service provider, like Amazon Prime Video or Apple, over another. The Express 4K Plus streaming media player is one of the cheapest streaming TV options with 4K HDR. (Even if your current TV doesn't support those formats, your next one probably will.) Thanks to the AirPlay update, this Roku device is one of the least expensive ways to connect your iPhone or other Apple device to your TV. It is cheaper than the company's Streaming Stick 4K Plus and other 4K HDR streaming devices, and it's our top pick for best streaming device overall.

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K features the same simple interface, large app selection and impressive search function found on all Roku devices, but also offers Dolby Vision support. Along with a stick-like design, Dolby Vision HDR is the main difference between the Streaming Stick 4K and the Express 4K Plus, and is ostensibly why the Streaming Stick 4K is more expensive than its sibling. While we think the Streaming Stick 4K is a great device, we're just not sold on the Dolby Vision upgrade -- mostly because we generally don't think that it provides a major image quality upgrade over standard HDR. But if Dolby Vision is important to you, this device will not disappoint.

The Chromecast with Google TV 4K isn't quite as good as the Roku Express 4K Plus, but it comes closer than any other device on the market. Chromecast outdoes Roku by adding Dolby Vision compatibility, but its biggest smart device strength is Google Assistant voice search, which works well for finding stuff to watch. We also like the impressive integration with other Google services such as Google Photos and YouTube TV. The interface is more evolved-looking than Roku, but ultimately we prefer Roku's simpler approach, no-nonsense search results and lower price. That said, the new Chromecast is a better smart streaming device choice for those already living in Google's world.

If you're looking for a speedy device, look no further than the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. The Max loads apps almost immediately, and navigating around the system is swift and smooth. Even better, the Max supports Wi-Fi 6 and nearly all the latest playback standards, including Dolby Vision. The downside to the Max is its Fire TV platform and the fact that ads are featured prominently throughout. We just don't appreciate the TV becoming a giant rotating billboard for content or ads when in screensaver mode. But this is a good choice for those looking for a fast device or those hooked into the Amazon ecosystem. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the best Fire Stick on the market today, and it's worth the extra money over the standard Fire TV Stick 4K.

Problems can arise when your TV's interface lacks some of the content you need. For example, Spectrum users who have an LG smart TV will not be able to find the Spectrum app through LG's platform. Instead, they'll need to pick up a Roku, Apple TV or Google Chromecast in order to stream their cable package. Generally speaking, streaming-centric devices from Roku or Amazon tend to have more available apps than a streaming platform from a TV manufacturer. Of course, as you'll see below, there are some exceptions.

But the outgoing Apple TV 4K was already the best video streamer you could buy and the new version is the same but a bit better. That extra power could be leveraged more in the future, too, perhaps with more advanced games and video performance. In the shorter term, the High Frame Rate 4K HDR feature will likely be used by more apps, theoretically making for smoother, better-looking video streams, particularly for sport.

We've bought and tested more than 375 TVs, and below are our recommendations for the best smart televisions you can buy. See our picks for the best Roku TVs, the best TVs, and the best 4k TVs. Most brands will start releasing their 2023 lineups soon, so make sure to vote on which ones you want us to buy and test first. If you want to find out more about the 2023 models, check out our 2023 TV lineup page.

It looks great in both bright and dark rooms. It gets bright enough to overcome glare in a bright room, and it has fantastic reflection handling. It's also a great choice for a dark room thanks to its near-infinite contrast ratio, so there's no distracting blooming around bright objects in dark scenes. It also has much better, more vibrant colors than traditional OLED TVs like the LG C2 OLED. Combined, this results in an incredibly impactful HDR experience, which is great if you enjoy streaming the latest HDR shows.

If you're looking for the best TV for streaming in the upper mid-range price category, check out the Samsung QN90B QLED instead. It delivers slightly worse picture quality than the Samsung S95B OLED, as there's more blooming around bright objects in darker scenes, including around subtitles. However, it looks much better in well-lit rooms thanks to its incredibly high peak brightness in both SDR and HDR, making it an excellent choice for a bright viewing environment. It's even bright enough to use outdoors, but it's not weather-proof, so you'll need an appropriate enclosure.

In most cases, a good streaming stick will do the trick. There are some reasons why someone would want to pay for a pricier set-top box: the Apple TV 4K doesn't stuff ads on its home screen, for instance, while a device like Nvidia's Shield TV Pro gives you more ports for local media streaming and enough power for gaming. Most people, though, don't need to spend more than about $50 on a streaming device to get an enjoyable, and oftentimes superior, experience. Google, Amazon, and Roku, three of the biggest names in the space, all offer useful and competitive options around this price point.

For what it is worth, you can still use your TV remote to control the Fire TV Cube thanks to CEC support. But, the reason why the Alexa Voice Remote is so handy is because it can not only connect to your smart TV but also to your Media Centre, PlayStation, Set Top Box, and more. Essentially, if you manage to configure everything properly it will work as a universal remote.

Tablets and smart phones that can toss video content on the fly to TVs only need GoogleTV & AppleTV to negotiate the connection. Once a standard like AirPlay becomes as ubiquitous on TVs or cable boxes as Dolby and THX, hobbled media centers will be nothing but what Apple has acknowledged as a passing hobby. The current generation of tablets and smart phones provide infinitely better user experiences and provide utility that is at least an order of magnitude greater.

IMHO the only thing that might breathe another year or two into these set top media centers is to remove the software boundaries and bring these devices into their current third-party app markets. Given the better than expected sales numbers for AppleTV2, it would seem an easy decision for Apple to do exactly this when iOS 5 lands. 2ff7e9595c