Amazon Smart Plug (Black)
2018
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
A15 · HDR10+ · Thread border router
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Amazon Smart Plug (Black) lands at 78 and Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) at 92. That puts Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) ahead by 14 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Amazon Smart Plug (Black) if…
- ✓Matter/Thread support (modern SKUs)
- ✓App-based setup
- ✓Works with major voice assistants
Pick Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) if…
- ✓A15 silicon — fastest streaming box
- ✓HomeKit hub + Thread border router
- ✓No ads on home screen
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testEase of use
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)Compared on the ease of use sub-score
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) leads on ease (96 vs 84).
Features
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)Compared on the features sub-score
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) leads on features (96 vs 76).
Ecosystem
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)Compared on the ecosystem sub-score
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) leads on ecosystem (92 vs 78).
Value for money
Amazon Smart Plug (Black)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Amazon Smart Plug (Black) more score per dollar ($25 vs $129).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Amazon Smart Plug (Black) | Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2018 | — |
| Color | Black | — |
| Chipset | — | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Storage | — | 64 / 128 GB |
| Output | — | HDMI 2.1 4K @ 60 Hz |
| HDR | — | Dolby Vision + HDR10+ |
| Audio | — | Dolby Atmos |
| Connectivity | — | Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet (128GB), Thread |
Amazon Smart Plug (Black)
- +Matter/Thread support (modern SKUs)
- +App-based setup
- +Works with major voice assistants
- −Subscription sometimes required
- −Cloud dependency on many
- −Ecosystem lock-in
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
- +A15 silicon — fastest streaming box
- +HomeKit hub + Thread border router
- +No ads on home screen
- −Apple ecosystem-leaning
- −Pricier than Roku / Fire TV
- −Remote can hide behind couch
FAQ: Amazon Smart Plug (Black) vs Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
Which is better, Amazon Smart Plug (Black) or Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)? +
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 14. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Amazon Smart Plug (Black) worth the price? +
At $25, Amazon Smart Plug (Black) delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in ease.
Is Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) worth the price? +
At $129, Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in ease.
Does Amazon Smart Plug (Black) or Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for ease of use, Amazon Smart Plug (Black) or Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)? +
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) — leads on ease (96 vs 84). Compared on the ease of use sub-score.
Which is better for features, Amazon Smart Plug (Black) or Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)? +
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) — leads on features (96 vs 76). Compared on the features sub-score.