Best all-rounder
Google TV with a network port, 4 GB of RAM and updates until 2029
- 4K · Dolby Vision · HDR10+
- Ethernet Gigabit
- Google TV (Android 14)
from £99.00 at John Lewis
Streaming box · review updated 13 October 2026
Apple TV 4K Review 2026: watching IPTV without TiviMate
The Apple TV 4K has the fastest chip of all the boxes in this comparison and is the logical choice if you already have an iPhone or iPad. For IPTV it works differently from an Android box: you use apps from the App Store, because TiviMate and Kodi aren't there.
New Apple TV 4K expected
According to Bloomberg and MacRumors, Apple will release a new Apple TV 4K in October 2026, reportedly with a newer chip and Wi-Fi 7. We'll update this review as soon as it arrives.
Pricier since June 2026
Apple raised the price of the unchanged 2022 model in June 2026. In euros, the launch prices were €169 (64 GB) and €189 (128 GB). Only the 128 GB model has a network port.
Best for Apple users
8.2
8.2Very good
Our verdict
Apple TV 4K: very good
The Apple TV 4K is the fastest and most polished streamer in this comparison, with every HDR format and years of updates. For IPTV you have to rely on App Store apps such as iPlayTV, UHF or GSE, because TiviMate and Kodi don't run on it. Choose the 128 GB version for the network port, and if you can, wait for the new model expected in October 2026.
ChipA15 Bionic, no fan
Picture4K60 with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG
Network portGigabit, 128 GB model only
SystemtvOS 27 (September 2026)
Score by category
How the Apple TV 4K scores on the five points we rate every box on. How we rate.
8.2Very good
Pros
- A15 Bionic: the fastest chip in this comparison, and quiet thanks to passive cooling
- Every HDR format (Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG) plus Dolby Atmos
- Long software support: tvOS 27 also still works on the 2021 model
- 128 GB model with gigabit Ethernet and Thread for your smart home
- Good IPTV apps in the App Store, such as iPlayTV, UHF and GSE
Cons
- No TiviMate, Kodi or sideloading; the better IPTV apps cost money
- Noticeably pricier than at launch since June 2026
- The 64 GB model has no network port
- A new model is expected in October 2026
This review covers the current Apple TV 4K: the third generation from October 2022, with the A15 Bionic chip. At launch it cost €169 (64 GB, Wi-Fi) and €189 (128 GB, Wi-Fi and Ethernet) in euro prices. In June 2026 Apple raised the price without changing anything in the hardware.
Here you'll read which IPTV apps work on tvOS, what the difference is between the 64 GB and 128 GB versions, how older generations compare and whether you're better off waiting for the new model.
IPTV on tvOS: which apps work?
tvOS is a closed system: you only install apps from the App Store. There is no official TiviMate for the Apple TV; apps in the App Store with that name are from other makers. Kodi isn't there either and you can only install it with developer tools such as Xcode. For OTT Navigator, Perfect Player and Smart IPTV we found no official tvOS version.
There are good alternatives, though. iPlayTV is made only for the Apple TV and lists a TV guide, time-shifting and catch-up via Xtream Codes in the App Store. UHF is free with in-app purchases and also works on iPhone and iPad. GSE SMART IPTV PRO is a paid app. The makers of IPTV Smarters release Smarters Player Lite on tvOS, free of charge. There is also an IBO PLAYER in the App Store, but it isn't clear whether it is from the same maker as iboplayer.com.
Whether a TV guide and catch-up work depends on the app and your subscription. A MAG portal with a MAC address doesn't work directly on the Apple TV; ask your provider for an M3U link or Xtream Codes details instead.
64 GB or 128 GB: choose for the network port
The two versions have the same chip and the same picture and sound. As well as double the storage, the 128 GB model (A2843) has a gigabit network port and a Thread border router for HomeKit and Matter devices. The 64 GB model (A2737) only has Wi-Fi 6.
For IPTV we recommend the 128 GB model. With a network cable, live channels in 4K are more stable than over Wi-Fi, and because the Apple TV has no USB port, you can't connect an adapter to the 64 GB model either.
The price gap has widened, though. At launch there was €20 between the two versions (euro prices), and since the June 2026 price rise it has grown.
Speed, picture and sound
The A15 Bionic is the fastest chip in this comparison. According to iCulture and MacRumors it has 4 GB of RAM; Apple doesn't publish that itself. The box is passively cooled, so there is no fan.
The Apple TV 4K supports all HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG. For sound there is Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 and lossless audio. DTS isn't in Apple's specifications. Over HDMI 2.1 with QMS the TV switches faster between picture formats, and according to Wikipedia there is eARC too.
The Siri Remote with USB-C has a touch-sensitive clickpad and also controls your TV or receiver via IR and HDMI-CEC. It is rechargeable and, according to Apple, lasts months on one charge. According to Apple it has no backlighting or remote finder.
Which generation? 2017, 2021, 2022 and the new model
The 2022 Apple TV 4K is the third generation. You recognise it by model number A2737 or A2843 and by the Siri Remote with USB-C. It is the only Apple TV that Apple currently sells new.
Older models also get updates for a long time. tvOS 27 came out on 14 September 2026 and works on the second-generation (2021) and third-generation (2022) Apple TV 4K. The 2017 Apple TV 4K and the 2015 Apple TV HD no longer get tvOS 27.
According to MacRumors and 9to5Mac, Apple will announce a fourth generation in October 2026, reportedly with an A19-class chip, Apple's N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 and a redesigned Siri Remote. If you want to buy now, wait for that announcement. We'll update this review as soon as the new model arrives.
Watching IPTV
IPTV on the Apple TV 4K
On tvOS you only install apps from the App Store; sideloading isn't possible, so TiviMate, Kodi and OTT Navigator are out. Instead you use iPlayTV (paid, Apple TV only), UHF (free, with in-app purchases), GSE SMART IPTV PRO (paid), Smarters Player Lite from the makers of IPTV Smarters or IBO PLAYER. In those you load the M3U link or Xtream Codes details of your subscription.
- TiviMate
- IPTV Smarters Pro
- IBO Player
- OTT Navigator
- MyTVOnline 3
- Kodi
- MAG portal (MAC)
How to set up IPTV on the Apple TV 4K (iPlayTV)
- Connect the Apple TV to your TV with HDMI. If you have the 128 GB model, also connect it to your router with a network cable. Go through the setup and log in with your Apple Account.
- Install the latest tvOS version. iPlayTV requires tvOS 18 or later and UHF tvOS 17; the 2022 Apple TV 4K gets tvOS 27.
- Open the App Store on the Apple TV and search for ‘iPlayTV - IPTV/M3U Player’. It is a paid app and only works on the Apple TV.
- Would you rather try for free first? You can download UHF and Smarters Player Lite for free. Watch out for fake apps with ‘Smarters’ or ‘TiviMate’ in the name: there is no official TiviMate for tvOS.
- Open iPlayTV and add a new channel list. Choose Xtream Codes if you also want to use the TV guide and catch-up, or an M3U link.
- Log in with the Xtream Codes details or the M3U link from your subscription. The channels and TV guide then load by themselves.
Specifications
Apple TV 4K specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| System | tvOS 27 |
| Chip | Apple A15 Bionic, 5-core CPU (according to Wikipedia) |
| Graphics chip | 5 cores (according to Wikipedia) |
| RAM | 4 GB (Apple doesn't publish this itself) |
| Storage | 64 GB (Wi-Fi) or 128 GB (Wi-Fi and Ethernet) |
| Model numbers | A2737 (64 GB), A2843 (128 GB) |
| On sale since | October 2022 (3rd gen) |
| Picture and sound | |
| Resolution | 4K (2160p) up to 60 frames per second |
| HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1; DTS isn't in Apple's specifications |
| Lossless audio | Apple Lossless, FLAC, WAV, AIFF |
| Connections | |
| HDMI | HDMI 2.1 with QMS (eARC according to Wikipedia) |
| Network port | Gigabit Ethernet, 128 GB model only |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax, 2×2 MIMO) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 |
| USB | None |
| Smart home | Thread border router (128 GB model only) |
| Power | Built-in power supply, 100–240 V |
| Controls and size | |
| Remote control | Siri Remote (USB-C) with touch-sensitive clickpad, Siri microphone and buttons for power, volume and mute; controls your TV via IR and HDMI-CEC; rechargeable |
| Dimensions | 31 × 93 × 93 mm (h × w × d) |
| Weight | 208 grams (64 GB) or 214 grams (128 GB) |
Where to buy
Buy the Apple TV 4K: compare prices
The Apple TV 4K is currently cheapest at Apple UK for £199. Below are all the shops we found, from cheapest to most expensive.
- Lowest priceApple UKUnited Kingdom · 64 GB, Wi-Fi£199Go to Apple UK (opens in a new window, Apple TV 4K (2022))
- Apple IrelandIreland · 64 GB, Wi-Fi€229Go to Apple Ireland (opens in a new window, Apple TV 4K (2022))
- Harvey NormanIreland · 64 GB, Wi-Fi€229Go to Harvey Norman (opens in a new window, Apple TV 4K (2022))
- Apple UKUnited Kingdom · 128 GB, Wi-Fi + Ethernet£249+£50.00Go to Apple UK (opens in a new window, Apple TV 4K (2022))
- John LewisUnited Kingdom · 128 GB, Wi-Fi + Ethernet£249+£50.00Go to John Lewis (opens in a new window, Apple TV 4K (2022))
- Apple IrelandIreland · 128 GB, Wi-Fi + Ethernet€299Go to Apple Ireland (opens in a new window, Apple TV 4K (2022))
Prices checked on 13 October 2026, RRP £199. Prices and stock change; the shop always has the current price.
Buy it if…
you have an iPhone or iPad, want the fastest and most polished streamer and are happy watching IPTV with iPlayTV, UHF or GSE. Then choose the 128 GB version with the network port.
Skip it if…
you're counting on TiviMate, Kodi or Android apps, are on a tight budget or can wait for the new model expected in October 2026.
Genova TV
Watch Genova TV on your Apple TV 4K
Genova TV works on the Apple TV 4K with iPlayTV. Try it free first: you get test login details via WhatsApp and we'll help you install it step by step.
- 45,000+ channels, also in 4K
- Works with iPlayTV
- Setup help via WhatsApp
- Free trial, no payment
Alternatives
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Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Apple TV 4K
Can you watch IPTV on an Apple TV?
Yes. You use an app from the App Store, such as iPlayTV (paid, Apple TV only), UHF, GSE SMART IPTV PRO (paid) or Smarters Player Lite, and load the M3U link or Xtream Codes details of your subscription in it. Sideloading isn't possible on tvOS, so TiviMate and Kodi aren't available.
Which IPTV app works on the Apple TV?
TiviMate doesn't work: there is no official tvOS version. iPlayTV lists a TV guide, time-shifting and catch-up via Xtream Codes in the App Store. UHF and Smarters Player Lite (from the makers of IPTV Smarters) are free to start with, and GSE SMART IPTV PRO and IBO PLAYER are in there too. Beware of fake apps with ‘TiviMate’ or ‘Smarters’ in the name.
What is the difference between the Apple TV 4K 64 GB and 128 GB?
As well as double the storage, the 128 GB model has a gigabit network port and a Thread border router for HomeKit and Matter devices. The chip, picture and sound are the same. At launch the prices were €169 for 64 GB with Wi-Fi and €189 for 128 GB with Wi-Fi and Ethernet.
Is a new Apple TV coming in 2026?
Probably. According to MacRumors and 9to5Mac, Apple will release a new Apple TV 4K in October 2026, reportedly with an A19-class chip, Apple's N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and a redesigned Siri Remote. At our last check on 13 October 2026 it hadn't been officially announced yet.
Why has the Apple TV 4K got more expensive?
In June 2026 Apple raised the price of the unchanged 2022 model. According to reports, this is because of the sharp rise in the price of memory chips.
Sources
- Apple: Apple TV 4K technical specifications
- Apple Store: buy Apple TV 4K
- TechRadar NL: new Apple TV 4K (2022) and launch prices (Dutch)
- MacRumors: new Apple TV 4K is coming Tuesday
- MacRumors: tvOS 27 drops support for two Apple TV models
- App Store: iPlayTV - IPTV/M3U Player
Prices checked on 13 October 2026. Product photo: Dillan Payne, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Lowest price at Apple UK£199
View Still comparing? See every provider ranked side by side in Best IPTV 2026.
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