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Apple TV review

Rent or buy service. Priced at $17.50.

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CHOICE Expert Rating

74%

What is the CHOICE Expert Rating

CHOICE Expert rating

This is the product's overall performance score, based on key tests conducted by our industry experts in the CHOICE labs.

Good points

•  Voice search was enabled on Apple TV box (but not on Android TV)
•  Playback control in the Apple TV app allowed for voice commands to rewind, fast forward, and go to specific timestamps in the content
•  Very good skipping (rewind and fast-forward)
•  Very good predictive search
•  Not a subscription, so can purchase content that is wanted

Bad points

•  Not immediately clear if content listed on the screen can be watched, or if it needs to be purchased or rented
•  Content you can continue to watch is listed in a row called 'Up Next' rather than 'Continue watching'
Recommended View more details.

We recommend streaming services with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 75% or above.

No
CHOICE Expert Rating View more details.

This score is made up of the layout and stability score (40%), what to watch score (35%), sign up and cancel score (15%), and playback control score (10%).

74%
Layout and stability score View more details.

How intuitively the user interface is laid out and if it has any problems with crashes or connectivity.

70%
What to watch score View more details.

How easy it is to search for specific content, discover new shows and movies, revisit something you're already watching or save titles to look at later.

72%
Sign up and cancel score View more details.

How easy it is to sign up to a service and to stop using it with no further payments.

85%
Playback control score View more details.

How easy it is to move forward, back, and to a specific time stamp while viewing.

85%
Service summary
Apple TV is Apple's buy and rental service for TV shows and movies. The app also acts as a main feed for content from other services.
Entry-level/single subscription price per month View more details.

Tiered services provide standard definition content and simultaneous access to a small number of devices at this level. Services with a single monthly fee provide access to all available resolutions and a pre-determined number of devices. For Google Play, YouTube and Apple TV, monthly fees are based on one third of a purchased TV series and one rented movie per month.

$17.50
Mid-range price per month View more details.

Tiered services provide high-definition content and simultaneous access to a handful of devices at this level. Services with a single monthly fee do not have a mid-range option as all content options are accessible at the entry-level price. For Google Play, YouTube and Apple TV, monthly fees are based on purchase of one TV series per month.

$28.00
Premium price per month View more details.

Tiered services provide 4K UHD content and simultaneous access to a handful of devices at this level. Services with a single monthly fee do not have a premium option as all content options are accessible at the entry-level price. For Google Play, YouTube and Apple TV, monthly fees are based on purchase of one TV series and two rented movies per month. YouTube Premium price listed is for a family account. This increases the number of allowable users per household. It does not unlock any additional content.

$58
Annual subscription option View more details.

Some streaming services offer discounts if you sign up for a year.

Not applicable
Shop Ethical rating View more details.

Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. N/A means there is no rating for that company.

C
Smart TV View more details.

Whether you can install the app on a smart TV. Check the service provider's website prior to subscribing to make sure your TV brand/model is compatible.

Select Android TVs, Samsung TVs, LG TVs
Cast to Chromecast View more details.

Can you cast to a Google Chromecast from a mobile device, PC or laptop?

No (can use AirPlay)
Android app View more details.

Can you access the service on an Android device?

Yes
iOS app View more details.

Can you access the service on an iPhone or iPad?

Yes
Windows app View more details.

Can you download a dedicated Windows app?

No
Mac app View more details.

Can you download a dedicated Mac app?

Yes
Browser View more details.

Can you log in and stream content from a web browser?

Yes
PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5 View more details.

Can you access the service on a PlayStation? Google Play Movies and TV purchases can be accessed in the YouTube app by using the same Google account.

Yes
Xbox One/Xbox Series View more details.

Can you access the service on an Xbox? Google Play Movies and TV purchases can be accessed in the YouTube app by using the same Google account.

Yes
Nintendo Switch View more details.

Can you access the service on a Nintendo Switch? Google Play Movies and TV purchases can be accessed in the YouTube app by using the same Google account.

No
Ad supported View more details.

Ad supported services are free and insert commercial breaks like broadcast TV. Services in our test don't give you the option to turn them off or pay to remove ads.

No
Pay with a gift card
Yes
Website
tv.apple.com
Free trial period – days View more details.

How long the free trial period is for each service, if any exists, as defined by the service provider.

Not applicable
Max authorised devices View more details.

The number of devices that can be associated with a service, though some services do not place a limit on this.

5
Entry-level max simultaneous streams View more details.

How many video streams can be run simultaneously with "entry-level" price at any one time across multiple devices?

3
Mid-range max simultaneous streams View more details.

How many video streams can be run simultaneously with "mid-range" price at any one time across multiple devices?

Not applicable
Premium max simultaneous streams View more details.

How many video streams can be run simultaneously with "premium" price at any one time across multiple devices?

Not applicable
User profiles
No
Kid friendly profiles View more details.

Profiles that automatically filter out content that isn't child-friendly.

None found
Content restriction or family controls View more details.

Settings that let you limit the type of content that can be accessed.

Can enable a PIN to apply for any content of a specific rating (eg: M, MA15+, R18+)
4K UHD, HDR support View more details.

4K or UHD (ultra-high definition) resolution is defined as 3840 by 2160 pixels. Most 4K streams also support high dynamic range, either HDR10, HDR10+ and/or Dolby Vision, though there are exceptions. This may require a premium account and will only work on supported devices.

Yes
Offline mode (mobile) View more details.

Some services let you download content to watch offline. It typically expires after 48 hours.

Yes
Live TV View more details.

Stream broadcast television as it airs.

No
Live sport
No
Sports shown
Not applicable
Premiere/early access content View more details.

Some services give you the option to rent/buy movies at the same time as their theatrical release or not long after, long before the general streaming release.

Yes
Member reviews

Average rating