So, you’re planning to buy an Apple TV to level up your home entertainment setup?
But you’re not sure yet if it’s worth your hard-earned money?
Well then, let me lay down to you the main pros and cons of using an Apple TV.
So that you’ll know whether this device will bring “value” to you.
That being said…
Read on to know:
- 7 main pros and cons of using an Apple TV.
- What is Apple TV+ and what you can get from it.
- Whether an Apple TV requires a monthly fee subscription.
- Which channels you can watch free and on-demand on Apple TV.
- And that’s only the beginning…
Is Apple TV worth it?
Apple TV is worth it if you want to stream high-quality content at a lower cost. And if you want to integrate your Apple devices seamlessly. But, you shouldn’t expect much from it since it only offers limited original titles. So, if you like having thousands of options, Apple TV may not be for you.
Apple TV: 7 pros and cons
#1: Relatively cheaper than other streaming services
Do you know what makes Apple TV+ stand out at first glance?
Its cheap subscription cost.
For only $4.99 per month, you can watch Apple Originals movies and shows on demand.
And that’s cheaper compared to other streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max. Which comes at around $15 each per month.
With that cheap price, you can:
- Download titles for offline viewing.
- Share your account with up to 5 family members.
- Stream any Apple Originals titles on compatible devices.
Pro tip: Subscribe to Apple TV+ using your new Apple ID to get a 7-day, 1-month, or 3-month free trial.
#2: Offers well-produced and high-quality content
Aside from being affordable, many users love Apple TV+ because it offers great content.
Many of its Apple Originals titles are:
- Well-produced.
- Award-winning.
- Updated weekly.
- Have high audio and video quality.
Which is a really good deal if you’re looking for something different to watch. Such as Ted Lasso or The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey.
It also offers a variety of genres, which includes:
- Drama.
- Comedy.
- Romance.
- Animation.
- Non-fiction.
- Kids shows.
- Documentary.
- Thriller/suspense.
And even a few award-winning movies like CODA. Which won 3 Oscars awards.
#3: Releases original content weekly
And if you’re someone who watches movies or shows in their free time or during the weekend…
You’ll never run out of a show to watch on Apple TV.
Why?
Because Apple TV releases new episodes every week, consistently.
Note: Some Apple Originals series release all their episodes at once. While others update weekly.
So, if you’re following an ongoing Apple Originals series…
You’ll always have something to look forward to at the end of the week.
#4: Gives an overview of all your libraries from other apps
An Apple TV device works like a top-up box.
On which you can access your different cable and streaming services on one platform.
If you’re subscribed to other streaming services like Netflix or Disney+…
You can link your accounts on Apple TV. And have the option to view your libraries within the Apple TV platform.
“How does it work?”
Suppose you have an Apple TV box. You can watch a show from Netflix using the device. That means you don’t have to install the Netflix app on your smart TV to stream from it.
Note: In simple words, Apple TV gets rid of all the cables. And put all your subscriptions in one tiny box that you can always carry around.
If you want to learn more about Netflix on Apple TV, watch this video:
#5: Supports many cable and streaming channels
Sure, Apple TV may not have the same movies and shows that other streaming services offer…
But since it works like a top-up box, it gives you access to many cable channels. Which are something that you can’t stream from its competitors’ apps.
It supports several cable channels like:
- PBS.
- Sky News.
- ABC News.
- 120 Sports.
- CBS News.
And some more similar channels that you can find on your regular channel box.
Note: Some channels require activation by logging in to your cable account.
#6: Requires payment to buy/rent movies and shows
If you’re used to using Netflix, HBO Max, or Disney+…
You may feel confused once you’ve known that most Apple TV contents require payment.
Note: Apple TV is different from Apple TV+.
Apple TV is an app/device that supports many cable and streaming services. While Apple TV+ is a premium streaming subscription by Apple.
If you’re still getting confused…
Remember that Apple TV has several “channels.” And Apple TV+ is just “one channel” from it.
Going back…
When you click on any movie or show from the Apple TV library…
You’ll see a “Buy for $X.XX” button underneath its title.
And when you click it, it’ll lead you to the iTunes store to buy/rent the movie or show you’d want to watch.
#7: Provides limited content
And given that most Apple TV content is paid…
You’d feel like Apple TV has “limited” contents compared to other streaming services.
When you subscribe to Apple TV+, you’d only be able to watch (for free) the following:
- Local files you’ve downloaded.
- Apple Originals movies and shows.
- Free cable news and sports channels.
- Movie trailers from other streaming apps.
Which may feel very limiting to users who are used to having a wide variety of options to watch.
Check out: Can Alexa Control Apple TV? DIY How-To Guide
Is there a monthly fee for Apple TV?
There’s no monthly fee for using an Apple TV app or device, but you’d need to pay $4.99 monthly to access Apple TV+ content. You’d also have to pay to watch movies and shows from the Apple iTunes Store. Or link your other streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu+, and Disney+ to watch non-Apple TV content.
A $4.99 monthly fee is relatively affordable compared to other media streaming apps.
Plus, Apple TV+ offers longer free trials than its top competitors.
You can get a free Apple TV+ subscription in 3 different ways. Namely by:
- Buying a new Apple product.
- Subscribing using a new Apple ID.
- Purchasing an Apple One subscription promo.
Free 7-day trial
If you’re buying an Apple TV+ subscription for the first time, you’d get a free 7-day trial.
This allows you to see whether using Apple TV to stream content is best for you.
And right before the 7-day trial ends, you can choose to keep your subscription. Or have it canceled without paying any cent.
Free 1-month trial
Apple offers an Apple One subscription promo. This allows users to access up to 5 different Apple premium services, such as:
- iCloud+.
- Apple TV+.
- Apple Music.
- Apple Arcade.
- Apple News+.
- Apple Fitness+.
By subscribing to this bundled promo, you’re entitled to an Apple TV+ 1-month free trial.
Free 3-month trial
Have you bought a new Apple device from a certified Apple store?
Then, lucky you! Because you can have free access to Apple TV+ for 3 months.
Just make sure to redeem the promo within 90 days from the day of your purchase. Plus, ensure that your device is running the latest OS.
This promo is available to the following devices:
- Mac.
- iPad.
- iPhone.
- Apple TV.
- iPod touch.
Is Apple TV or Netflix better?
Apple TV is better than Netflix if you prefer to watch original quality content from Apple at a lower price. But Netflix is comparably more worth it if we’d consider the number of available titles in its library.
3 main things separate the two apart, including:
- Subscription cost.
- Variety of choices.
- Availability of content.
Among the popular streaming services in the market today…
Apple TV+ is the most affordable, which comes at $4.99. While Netflix is the most expensive, which can cost up to $19.99.
As you can see, Apple TV+ doesn’t even come close to half of Netflix’s monthly fee subscription. (Which is insane!).
That being said, if you want to stream online content without spending too much, subscribe to Apple TV+.
Note: Apple TV+ offers way fewer titles compared to Netflix.
So, if you’re the type to binge-watch multiple shows on a weekend, Netflix is the best choice for you.
Want to know more about these two streaming services?
Then, see this table guide to compare the main features of Apple TV+ and Netflix:
| Apple TV+ | Netflix | |
| Price per month | $4.99. | $19.99(highest premium). |
| Content estimate you can watch on-demand with your subscription | 120+ titles (originals only). | 17,000 titles (originals + licensed contents). |
| Highest video quality | 4K Ultra-High Definition. | 4K Ultra-High Definition. |
| Shared account limit | Up to 6 accounts. | Up to 4 accounts. |
| Most common reason why people subscribe to it | Quality content at a fair cost. | Countless available movies and shows. |
You may also wonder: Is iOS or Android better for home automation?
Is anything free on Apple TV?
Apple TV offers several free contents, but mostly for news and sports channels. To watch movies and shows, you’d need to buy or rent them from iTunes. Or you can also link your cable or streaming accounts to your Apple TV.
Note: Apple TV is more like a streaming platform. Which allows users to access different cable and streaming services in one place.
So, expect to pay a premium to access many, if not most, of the content from the Apple TV library.
Or connect your existing subscription accounts to overview them within the Apple TV app.
Which channels are free on Apple TV?
Several channels on Apple TV are completely free for streaming. But some of them require activation or subscription to access their libraries fully.
To help you out…
Here is the list of the (completely) free Apple TV channels:
Note: These don’t require activation, cable connection, or premium subscription.
- TED.
- Vevo.
- PBS.
- M2M.
- Vimeo.
- Fusion.
- Crackle.
- AOL On.
- YouTube.
- WSJ Live.
- PBS Kids.
- Sky News.
- The Scene.
- Tastemade.
- Bloomberg.
- ABC News.
- CBS News.
- 120 Sports.
- Dailymotion.
- CBS Sports.
- ACC Sports.
- Red Bull TV.
- Yahoo Screen.
- iTunes Festival.
- Young Hollywood.
- Weather Channel.
- Smithsonian Channel.
As you can see, most of these are news, sports, food & cooking, and kids’ channels.
So, if you want to stream the latest movies and TV shows, either:
- Buy or rent from the Apple iTunes store.
- Sign in to your existing streaming accounts (e.g., Netflix, HBO, Disney+, or Hulu+).
Is the new Apple TV worth it?
The new Apple TV is worth it if watching a movie or show with a very-high audio and video quality is important to you. And if you want to experience smoother navigation control using the new remote.
Otherwise, sticking to the old model should be fine for regular viewers.
Apple TV 4K (2021) offers new and improved features to level up users’ streaming experience.
And that includes:
- HDMI 2.1 port.
- A12 Bionic chip.
- 2160p Dolby Vision and HDR10.
- Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound.
With these, you can expect a crispier image and fuller sound quality.
Also, with the Siri remote (2nd Gen)…
You can use the navigation pad to forward or rewind the movie you’re watching easier and more smoothly.
Reading recommendation: Is Siri Still Worth Using? 7 Important Factors To Consider