The Apple TV 4K is my favorite streaming device, but that doesn’t mean it’s not without its share of issues. The lack of audio passthrough is a big one for me, but it looks like Apple is planning on addressing that in the upcoming tvOS 26 update. I have my fingers crossed that it doesn’t require upgrading my hardware because I’m still rocking a first-generation Apple TV 4K. If it does make me buy a new Apple TV 4K, I hope this other issue I have is addressed.

Signing in to streaming services on a new device is annoying, and although many streamers let you scan a QR code or go to a website these days, it’d be nice if they could just automatically sign me in. Anything is better than typing in my email and password using a TV remote, and there are still many apps that make me do that.

Setting up my Roku Streaming Stick was a breeze thanks to this functionality already being readily available. I have a Roku Ultra in my bedroom where I’m logged into everything, and when I reviewed the Streaming Stick, I was worried that I’d have to follow the same process. As it turns out, it was seamless, and it appears Apple is trying to get a piece of the action.

Brand

Apple

Bluetooth codecs

5.0

Wi-Fi

6

Ethernet

Gigabit (128GB model only)

Storage and RAM

64GB, 128GB

Apple is copying a Roku feature

It’s about time

Apple / Pocket-lint

I understand this isn’t a problem for a lot of people, and it’s really only an annoyance when you’re setting up your device, but I still want to see it changed. With so many streaming services available today, it can be a long process to get signed in to everything. A one-click option is a game-changer, and I don’t see a downside to it.

Apple has already revealed this is coming via the tvOS 26 announcement, but it came with a caveat. Apple made sure to mention that it’s part of the new API for developers, and that wording implies the developers have to get on board. If Netflix, Hulu, etc. don’t opt into the system, you won’t get signed in when you pick up a new device. Although the Apple TV 4K is the only Apple device I own, this change affects the wider range of the Apple ecosystem. The tvOS 26 gets all Apple products on the same update scheme, so this will let you sign in to your Netflix account seamlessly across all your devices, provided Netflix gets on board.

There’s no way to look at this any other way than a win. This is something Apple should’ve adopted a long time ago, and while I could sit here and criticize the company for not doing it in the past, I’d rather appreciate that it’s finally happening. There are quite a few ways Roku is ahead of Apple in the streaming wars, so it’s nice to see Apple evening the playing field. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Apple TV 4K, but I can’t ignore some of the things my Roku Ultra does better than it. Is that enough for me to put my Roku in the living room and the Apple TV in my bedroom? It hasn’t been so far, and as long as Apple continues to address these issues, I don’t think it’ll be anything I worry about in the near future.

Apple can learn from Roku

And Roku can learn from Apple

Apple / Pocket-lint

Something I’ve learned about having products from Apple, Roku, Amazon, and Google is that all the companies do good things, but they can all learn from each other. Apple tends to be stubborn, and it’s something that has frustrated me quite a bit. The thing with Apple is the price of the Apple TV 4K is either $130 or $150, depending on the model, and that price hardly wavers. You can pick one up used and save some cash, and it’s something I did with mine. When the new generation launches, used won’t be an option, so I hope it won’t be priced the same way the third generation has been.

The Roku Ultra is almost never sold at its regular price, and if it is, you can just wait it out until it drops to $80. At almost half the price of an Apple TV 4K, you’re getting largely the same experience, and in some scenarios, you’re getting a better product. Apple adding audio passthrough, something that’s standard on the Roku Ultra, is a big step in the right direction. This is something said to be coming with the tvOS 26 update, but I won’t believe it until I see it.

As I mentioned, the Apple TV 4K is the only Apple product I have, and that comes with its own set of limitations. The big thing is, I can’t find a lost remote without having to physically search for it myself. If I had an iPhone to pair with my Apple TV, I could easily track it down. Unlike the Apple TV, the Roku Ultra has a button on the box itself that finds my remote for me, and that’s much better than needing another product in the ecosystem. The Roku Ultra fits well within any ecosystem while Apple largely punishes you for not buying in. My Apple TV 4K works just fine on its own, but it’s clear I’m leaving a lot on the table by not having an iPhone at the very least.

From my standpoint, Apple is the top dog in streaming, and even though there are things that Roku and Amazon might do better, it’s not enough for me to jump ship. I love Roku City, but the Apple TV 4K interfact having no ads at all is a huge deal, and it lets me hop right into my favorite shows and movies without much of a fuss. When audio passthrough comes into the picture, there will be no doubts left in my mind. Sure, not having proper find my remote functionality is annoying, but that’s just a small issue I have in the grand scheme of things.