Why I just bought an Apple TV in 2025
It is yet to be seen how good it works for me, but I have a hunch so far.
Yes, you read that right, I bought an Apple TV in 2025. Specifically, the 2022 3rd Generation model, 128GB. I got it from the refurbished store, and while it is not significantly cheaper than retail (about $20), it is not nothing, and it is still the latest model. So far, it has been great, but there are a few reasons I made the choice to buy a $129 streaming box in 2025 when $30 Rokus exist.
The first reason is pretty simple – tvOS. Having a cohesive TV experience is something that I have been searching for a long time now. I have tried Chromecasts, Rokus, but the simplicity of tvOS and the Apple TV have always captured me. Since it is so similar to iPhone and iOS, it does feel smooth and looks about as simple and easy to use as a TV should be. Apps fly on the hardware and the OS is so well optimized that it kind of makes you wonder how it does it.
In my experience, specifically with the Roku Streaming Stick 4K+, the apps and interface don't have that same level of polish. Now, don't get me wrong, after Apple, it is probably Roku that has the best and simplest UI out of all of the TVs on the market, but it is still not at Apple's level of simplicity. I have enjoyed using both so far, but Apple comes ahead when it comes to the optimization of their apps since they already have so many frameworks and systems that can be ported over from their decades of macOS and iOS operating systems.
The second reason is one that many have also shared, but not necessarily for the same reason – the "new" remote. This new silver, thick remote came out way back in 2021 but it is still a good design by today's standards. The reason that I love it so much is that I have the Apple TV set up in a game room where the only other devices are obviously game consoles. The TV that I am running it all on is a 15-year-old Sony TV that does not have the greatest user interface or remote. The remote is oddly ribbed and somehow extremely easy to lose, and also never works quite right. So, being able to finally have a remote that can turn the TV on and off, change the volume and even control the Xbox and other devices (in some cases) reliably is a life-saver.
The biggest reason, however, for me is HomeKit. I have been trying to build out my HomeKit ecosystem for years now and this is finally the point that it feels like I actually can trust it. Basically, Apple HomeKit (Apple's Smart Home system) essentially needs to have a Home hub (HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV) to work properly. While it can work without one (which is what I have been doing for years now), it is not ideal as you can't control devices from anywhere and you can't setup automations for devices to work together in tandem.
This last one is a big deal for me since part of building out this cohesive TV experience is having a motion sensor and lights turn on and turn off accordingly, so all I have to do is walk in to the room and the whole setup is ready. Plus, with the nice-looking interface of tvOS, it helps to bring the whole thing together and make for a better TV experience as a whole.
The Apple TV so far has been great. We will have to wait and see what Apple does soon.
