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Apple TV 4K vs. Google TV Streamer Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared

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Google this week announced the Google TV Streamer as a replacement for the Chromecast, setting its sights on directly rivalling the Apple TV 4K, so how do the two devices compare?

google-tv.jpg

Fundamentally, the Google TV Streamer is designed with a focus on deep integration with Google's ecosystem including services like Google Photos, YouTube, and Google Assistant. It is also positioned as a smart home hub, supporting Matter and Thread protocols to control a wide range of smart home devices.

In contrast, the Apple TV 4K is deeply embedded within Apple's ecosystem, providing access to services such as Apple Arcade and Apple Music, with support for features like HomeKit and AirPlay. Its compact, black puck design allows it to blend effortlessly into most home entertainment setups, while offering powerful performance with the A15 Bionic chip.

While both devices support 4K resolution and advanced HDR formats, they differ in their storage options, connectivity features, and additional functionalities. The Google TV Streamer emphasizes an AI-powered user experience with personalized content recommendations and generative AI screensavers, whereas the Apple TV 4K offers ecosystem advantages like Apple Arcade and Fitness+ for a more integrated Apple experience. All of the key differences between the two devices are listed below:

Google TV StreamerApple TV 4K
Designed to sit in front of the TV, with a noticeable design intended to blend with home decorCompact, black puck design that can be easily hidden or integrated into a home entertainment system
6.4" x 3.0" x 1.0"3.66" x 3.66" x 1.2"
Weighs 5.7 ouncesWeighs 7.3 ounces (Wi-Fi)
Weighs 7.5 ounces (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
Google TV (Android TV)tvOS
Google AssistantSiri
Google Home, Thread, and MatterHomeKit, Thread (Wi-Fi + Ethernet), and Matter
SDR video, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLGSDR video, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, HEVC, H.264, MPEG-4, HDMI Quick Media Switching
Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby AtmosHE-AAC, AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, AC-3 Dolby Digital 5.1, E-AC-3 Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, Dolby Atmos
Aggregates content from various streaming services and presents personalized recommendationsApple TV app aggregates content from various services and provides a unified watchlist
AI-powered content suggestions and generative AI screensavers
Deep integration with Google services like Google Photos, YouTube, and Google Assistant. Supports casting from Android devicesDeep integration with Apple ecosystem, including Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, and AirPlay for casting from iOS devices
Improved processor, 22% faster than previous ChromecastA15 Bionic chip
HDMI 2.1, Bluetooth 5.1, Gigabit Ethernet, Thread, USB-CHDMI 2.1, Bluetooth 5.0, Infrared, Gigabit Ethernet (Wi-Fi + Ethernet), Thread (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
32GB storage64GB storage (Wi-Fi)
128GB storage (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
Support for external storage and flash drives
Voice Remote with customizable button, textured back, and remote finderSiri Remote with touch surface, volume control on face, and remote finder
Available in Hazel (Google Store exclusive) and PorcelainAvailable in Black only
$99.99$129 (Wi-Fi)
$149 (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
Releases September 24, 2024Released November 4, 2022


Choosing between the Google TV Streamer and the Apple TV 4K ultimately depends on your specific needs and the ecosystem you are already invested in. For those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem, the Google TV Streamer is clearly the best choice. It is designed to work seamlessly with Google services like Google Photos, YouTube, and Google Assistant, making it ideal for users who rely on these platforms. It also supports playback from external storage devices. The device's support for Matter and Thread protocols also makes it a strong contender for those with a smart home setup. Additionally, its AI-powered content recommendations and generative AI screensavers provide a personalized and modern user experience.

On the other hand, the Apple TV 4K is perfect for users who are heavily entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. With seamless access to Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, FaceTime, and AirPlay, this device is tailored for those who use Apple devices and services. The A15 Bionic chip ensures excellent performance, making it suitable for users who require a particularly robust device for streaming and light gaming. The Apple TV 4K's compact design allows it to fit discreetly into any home entertainment setup, and its integration with HomeKit, Matter, and Thread makes it a strong choice for those looking to manage their smart home devices through Apple's ecosystem.

Each device has unique strengths that cater to slightly different user needs based on ecosystem. Ultimately, if your primary concern is deep integration with Google services and a focus on smart home connectivity, the Google TV Streamer is the way to go. Conversely, if you are looking for a device that offers powerful performance and extensive access to Apple services, the Apple TV 4K will be your best bet.

Article Link: Apple TV 4K vs. Google TV Streamer Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-tv-4k-vs-google-tv-streamer/
All well and good comparing features, but when the two biggest VOD networks (Netflix and Amazon Prime) keep lowering the bitrate / changing the compression, it doesn't matter how well these devices can process video feeds.

The compression has become criminal on some series considering the price rises.
 
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For 100 dollars it's getting to where I wish they put even the first gen Tensor in there or something, would be so vastly better than these Mediatek joints with single core gb5 scores under 200. It's the MediaTek MT8696, same as the one used in the 2021 Amazon Firestick 4K Max. Forget the Apple TV, the 9 year old chip in the first Shield TV is still blazingly faster than all of these sticks and this.

Hopefully the odd form factor at least makes the thermals much better, because throttling is also an issue with many of the HDMI hang off dongles. Had a Fire Stick in the family that was getting very slow through factory resets and removing anything unnecessary, but a thermal pad mod I did on it brought it back to nearly day one performance.

This is an Apple TV competitor like the Moto G is an iPhone 15 Pro competitor. You can go far below it, it's not a bad phone for most users, even a good phone actually, but it's still not really close. And if that Moto G cost just proportionately 30% less than the iPhone 15 pro, nahhh. 30 dollars will provide years and years more fast performant operation and less e-waste, for 100USD there's just no excuse for this potato tier chip.
 
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This is where I usually objectively write "competition is good" but at least that head-to-head list doesn't seem to show much real competition. I don't play the Apple fan game- that's just pure objective opinion. I've now looked at it a few times and I'm not seeing the standout features except newer, color/shape difference, and one I do really miss from earlier AppleTVs.

I guess if someone is deeply in the Google services ecosystem and NOT so much in Apples... which is much of the rationale for the vice-versa argument for Apple's puck.

The ONE standout feature that I wish the many "pucks" in my home had too is a standardized port (or internal M.2 slot or two) and a revival of AppleTV 1s option to sync media. THAT was a great Jobsian-era feature... when AppleTV was an iPod for your television instead of a rental/sell/subscription-pushing device that we buy. ;)

If- like this one- it was available only as port, those happy to stream everything wouldn't be paying anything extra. But those who would love to see a sync option revival could attach whatever amount of storage we would like and sync our libraries onto it. I still really miss that benefit all these many generations later.
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
This is where I usually objectively write "competition is good" but at least that head-to-head list doesn't seem to show much real competition. I don't play the Apple fan game- that's just pure objective opinion. I've now looked at it a few times and I'm not seeing the standout features except newer, color/shape difference, and one I do really miss from earlier AppleTVs.

I guess if someone is deeply in the Google services ecosystem and NOT so much in Apples... which is much of the rationale for the vice-versa argument for Apple's puck.

The ONE standout feature that I wish the many "pucks" in my home had too is a standardized port (or internal M.2 slot or two) and a revival of AppleTV 1s option to sync media. THAT was a great Jobsian-era feature... when AppleTV was an iPod for your television instead of a rental/sell/subscription-pushing device that we buy. ;)

If- like this one- it was available only as port, those happy to stream everything wouldn't be paying anything extra. But those who would love to see a sync option revival could attach whatever amount of storage we would like and sync our libraries onto it. I still really miss that benefit all these many generations later.
Click to expand...
I think both devices can store content on external devices. Google has a USB port for adding memory and with Apple you can export a library that lives on a Mac. So you can have Terrabytes of local content on either of them
 
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I'm into the Google system. Can't afford to go all in with Apple.
For the record, Roku is king. Not the best, just the most popular.
Amazon's streaming device is last on my list. Don't like the Roku remote with volume/mute on the side.
ATV has a silly remote, but like that it is rechargeable.
When Roku introduced a rechargeable remote, reviews were bad. Hope that is no longer true.
Don't really like the ATV layout. Have no experience with Google TV.
I was under the impression the ATV remote was IR. Guess that is not true.
As for additional storage on the Google TV box, isn't the USB-C for power?
Guess you would need something extra to use the port for 2 connections.
All that storage on ATV is not put to good use. Safe to say the Google TV box is the same thing.
 
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ChrisA said:
I think both devices can store content on external devices. Google has a USB port for adding memory and with Apple you can export a library that lives on a Mac. So you can have Terrabytes of local content on either of them
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm towards expert on this topic... but synching to the device is different than streaming from Mac. For example, with so many having MBs, when the MB leaves a home, anyone back at home wanting to watch something in the TBs of storage has to wait for the Mac to come back home.

In AppleTV1- especially the hacked one with much more storage than Apple would offer- we could sync our huge libraries so that Macs could be turned off or taken out of the home and those left behind could have access to all.
 
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"Choosing between [X] and [Y] ultimately depends on your specific needs and the ecosystem you are already invested in."

I hope you guys have got this set up as a text shortcut.
 
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As entrenched as my family is within the Apple ecosystem, we're equally entrenched in the Google side of things with the Google Home products we have. As such, I'll be picking one up (when available in the UK) so we can see our Nest Doorbell/Cameras.

Looking forward to it.
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
This is where I usually objectively write "competition is good" but at least that head-to-head list doesn't seem to show much real competition. I don't play the Apple fan game- that's just pure objective opinion. I've now looked at it a few times and I'm not seeing the standout features except newer, color/shape difference, and one I do really miss from earlier AppleTVs.

I guess if someone is deeply in the Google services ecosystem and NOT so much in Apples... which is much of the rationale for the vice-versa argument for Apple's puck.

The ONE standout feature that I wish the many "pucks" in my home had too is a standardized port (or internal M.2 slot or two) and a revival of AppleTV 1s option to sync media. THAT was a great Jobsian-era feature... when AppleTV was an iPod for your television instead of a rental/sell/subscription-pushing device that we buy. ;)

If- like this one- it was available only as port, those happy to stream everything wouldn't be paying anything extra. But those who would love to see a sync option revival could attach whatever amount of storage we would like and sync our libraries onto it. I still really miss that benefit all these many generations later.
Click to expand...
The 1 standout feature of the Google Streamer is that it allows you to install the Roku Channel. Currently it's not supported on the ATV app store. So if you want the Roku Channel without having to buy a Roku TV or Roku stick, then the Google Streamer is the only choice. The UI on the ATV 4K is pretty basic and that's not a complaint but you can achieve the same look on the Chromecast and G Streamer where all you see are the apps and NO ads.
 
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Honestly, reading those differences, the Apple TV from 2 years ago is far better than the Google product that is yet to be released.

On a lighter note, any serious TV / cinema device will be black. Apple understood that.
When you close the curtains at night, you don't want to see a white device in the corner of your eye.
 
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I wonder if the Google one will support Dolby Atmos Lossless, that is one huge gap the Apple TV still has :( Right now it only supports the lossy implementation.
 
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No browser and you can't even check how much space you have left on apple TV. You have to download 3rd party app to see how much space you have left !!!!! :D
:D:D:D
 
Chromecast was like $29, and this is $99.

Basically a 3.5x price increase. Pretty insane. I guess that is what a monopoly gets you these days, but then maybe this will be useful for more than 2 years?

I am impressed that they have a model made out of porcelain. It's not cheap to mass produce at high tolerances.
 
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KanosWRX said:
I wonder if the Google one will support Dolby Atmos Lossless, that is one huge gap the Apple TV still has :( Right now it only supports the lossy implementation.
Click to expand...
+1 can someone please find out
 
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