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The victor
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
It’s hard to beat the power and performance of the A15 Bionic!
It was tough call to make, but the Apple TV 4K is the streaming device we’d prefer to spend our hard-earned dough on. It’s fast and powerful, offers plenty of storage space, and is a great addition to any Apple ecosystem. It’s also a breeze to use and Apple does a nice job at enhancing performance and UI from one update to the next.
Pros- A15 Bionic chip delivers stellar performance
- tvOS 18 is intuitive and packed with features
- At least double the storage of the Google TV Streamer
Cons- Only the 128GB model has Gigabit Ethernet and Thread support
- Google TV Streamer has a better remote
- No lost remote button
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Almost there
Google TV Streamer
The best Google-powered streamer to date!
The Google TV Streamer is the Android TV streamer we’ve all been waiting for. Featuring 4K HDR support and up to 32GB of storage for all your favorite apps, games, movies, and shows, the Google TV Streamer puts the onn Google TV 4K Pro to shame. We also can’t fathom what future generations of this Google gadget might be like!
Pros- Fast performance
- Has a built-in Ethernet port and lost remote button
- Costs less than either Apple TV 4K model
- USB-C port can be used with external storage devices
Cons- Not nearly as much storage as the Apple TV 4K
- The Apple A15 Bionic chip is a better processor
Even if you don’t own a smart TV, you can easily add popular streaming apps, games, and other web-connected features to your AV experience by adding a streaming device to your home theater. As long as you own an HD TV (all modern streaming devices require an HDMI connection), all you need to do is plug in your streamer of choice, connect to the Internet, and begin indulging.
Some recognizable AV names are the top brands behind many of the best streaming devices. Both Google and Apple have produced exceptional streaming hardware for years, and today, we’re going to compare the top devices made by both companies, the 2024 Google TV Streamer and the 2022 Apple TV 4K.
Price, availability, and specifications
Google earns points for affordability
The Google TV Streamer is $100 and can be purchased in stores and online through major retailers like Best Buy, Target, and the Google Store. As a matter of fact, if you order via Google, you can choose between Porcelain and Hazel colorways.
The Apple TV 4K (64GB) is $130 and the Apple TV 4K (128GB) is $150. Both versions of the device are available online and in stores through retailers like Best Buy, Target, and directly through Apple.
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Google TV Streamer Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) Operating System Android TV OS tvOS Resolution 4K at 60FPS 1080p, 4K Audio codecs Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, Dolby Atmos RAM/storage 4GB/32GB Unknown / 64GB, 128GB CPU MediaTek MT8696 Apple A15 Bionic Ports USB-C (power/data), HDMI 2.1 (Type A), Ethernet (10/100/1000Mbps) HDMI 2.1 output, Gigabit Ethernet (limited to 128GB model) Connectivity Wi-Fi 5 (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.1, Thread border router Wi-Fi 6 Downloadable Apps Google Play Store Yes Price $100 From $130
Read Our Review
The Google TV Streamer is a better Chromecast, but not much more
At twice the price of Google’s last 4K streamer, I expected better
Read our review
Review: The Apple TV 4K is a powerful streaming box for anyone
Apple’s set-top box has a lot to offer Android users
Design
Both titans are dressed to win
Google and Apple are always on top of the competition when it comes to cosmetics. Both the Google TV Streamer and Apple TV 4K are compact and modern-looking AV devices that mesh nicely with TVs, soundbars, speakers, game consoles, and home decor.
The Google TV Streamer comes in Porcelain and Hazel colorways (the latter is a Google Store exclusive). At 6.36-inches wide, 1.05-inches tall, and 2.97-inches from front to back, the pod-shaped device is fun to look at, but can just as easily be tucked inside an entertainment center if you’re after a cleaner look. Connections are located on the back of the device and include an HDMI 2.1 ARC/eARC port, USB-C, and Gigabit Ethernet.
There’s also a lost remote button, which emits a loud chime from the Google TV Streamer remote. Speaking of, the Google remote is just as sleek-looking as the primary device and includes navigational controls, a Google Assistant button, Netflix and YouTube shortcut keys, plus a programmable favorite button.
Oh, and guess what? That USB-C port is meant to be used for power. However, with the purchase of a Y-splitter cable, you can use the USB-C to connect the Google TV Streamer to USB flash drives and other external storage.
The Apple TV 4K has been around since 2022, and both the 64GB and 128GB models are only available in black. Measuring 3.66-inches wide, 1.2-inches tall, and 3.66-inches from front to back, the Apple TV 4K is a small and unassuming bit of AV hardware. On the back of the 64GB version, you’ll find just power and HDMI 2.1 ARC/eARC, while the 128GB model adds Gigabit Ethernet. Both models use the same Siri Remote with USB-C charging.
While the Siri Remote does an excellent job at controlling the Apple TV 4K, we prefer the feel and usability of the Google TV Streamer remote.
Software and performance
Fast and intuitive for both teams
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The Google TV Streamer and Apple TV 4K share none of the same processors and operating systems. That said, both devices deliver an excellent streaming experience that’s built on personalized content, a trove of entertaining apps, and simple navigation.
Google TV (based on Android TV) has been around for a minute, and it’s the OS you’ll find on the Google TV Streamer. Powered by a MediaTek MT8696 (the same 2021 processor used in the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max), the Google TV Streamer also has 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, a decent amount of space for downloading apps, games, movies, shows, and other media.
Meanwhile, Google TV OS runs fast and is a pretty intuitive platform to use, especially once you get used to it. Each member of the Google TV household gets their own user profile with personalized recommendations based on viewing history and existing subscriptions. Google TV offers a ton of apps and games, too, plus a nice variety of free live TV stations.
Other features include Google Assistant, which can be used to search the web, start/stop a movie, and even control smart home devices (thanks to the new home panel); you can also use the Google TV Streamer as a Thread router, a feature only available on the most expensive version of the Apple TV 4K.
Speaking of Apple: Both versions of the Apple TV 4K are powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, a silicone-based CPU first introduced in late 2021 for devices like the iPhone 13. The base model of the Apple TV 4K doubles the 32GB of storage you get on the Google TV Streamer (64GB), while the premium model quadruples the storage (128GB) and adds a Gigabit Ethernet port.
Apple’s tvOS platform has been around for several years now and continues to improve and evolve. Now, with tvOS 18, users can expect several new features, including InSight, which displays info about actors, characters, and more for every live-action Apple TV+ movie or show, and Apple’s Enhanced Dialogue feature, which amps up the spoken word in your favorite movies, shows, and music.
On the surface, Apple’s tvOS 18 is sleek, minimalist, and easy to get around. Not only does the platform give you access to a ton of great apps, but you’ll also be able to use Siri to search for content, control smart home devices, and more.
Yes, an Ethernet port comes standard on the Google TV Streamer, but think of it this way: Even though the Apple TV 4K (128GB) is $50 more than the Google Streamer, having four times the amount of available data is going to net you faster performance across the board; and that’s before you even consider using the Apple 4K’s built-in Ethernet port.
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Video and audio quality
Full steam ahead
When it comes to picture quality and sound, you really can’t go wrong with either the Google TV Streamer or Apple TV 4K (both storage sizes). Both Google and Apple streamers offer class-leading HDR support, covering everything from Dolby Vision and HDR10+ to the tried and true HLG format.
With either device connected to a compatible 4K HDR TV, watching a 4K HDR movie on Netflix should deliver a vibrant and lifelike picture with rich colors and deep contrast. And thanks to HDMI 2.1 connectivity on both devices (the latest HDMI standard), you can expect minimal input lag and top-notch motion clarity. Both the Google TV Streamer and Apple TV 4K also support Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital surround codecs via HDMI ARC/eARC.
One thing to keep in mind: Apple claims that 21:9 aspect ratio support is coming to tvOS 18 later this year. If you’re the kind of person who likes connecting your go-to streaming devices to a projector, Apple’s 21:9 compatibility might be the deal-breaking feature you’ve been looking for.
Unfortunately, neither the Google TV Streamer nor the Apple TV 4K (neither version) comes with an HDMI cable in the box.
Which is right for you?
Apple emerges victorious
It’s not that easy to choose between the Google TV Streamer and Apple TV 4K, especially if your home or business doesn’t contain other Google or Apple devices. On one hand, we’re into the fact that the Google TV Streamer is the more budget-friendly option that still delivers exceptional performance and a range of great features. But for only $30 to $50 more, the Apple TV 4K provides double or quadruple (on the 128GB model) the storage.
Apple’s A15 Bionic chip and the Google TV Streamer’s MediaTek MT8696 processor both rolled out in 2021, though the former is our CPU of choice when it comes to overall performance and usability. So, we’re going to go on record as choosing the Apple TV 4K over the Google TV Streamer.
The winner
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
The Apple TV 4K delivers excellent performance, a terrific UI experience, numerous Apple exclusives, and double or quadruple the storage space of the Google TV Streamer.
Now, the Google TV Streamer is still a terrific streaming device, especially if you enjoy personalized recommendations based on your viewing habits (one of the best parts of Google TV). However, Apple’s tvOS can recommend content to individuals and families, too, and we’re willing to bet this feature will only get better once Apple Intelligence has received an update or two.
The runner up
Google TV Streamer
The Google TV Streamer does what it set out to do: Erase our memories of the Chromecast era by introducing a streaming device that enhances Google’s legacy hardware in every single way. It even comes with 32GB of storage and has a built-in Gigabit Ethernet port!