Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
A15 · HDR10+ · Thread border router
Samsung SmartThings Station (Black)
2023
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) lands at 92 and Samsung SmartThings Station (Black) at 82. That puts Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) ahead by 10 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) if…
- ✓A15 silicon — fastest streaming box
- ✓HomeKit hub + Thread border router
- ✓No ads on home screen
Pick Samsung SmartThings Station (Black) if…
- ✓Matter/Thread support (modern SKUs)
- ✓App-based setup
- ✓Works with major voice assistants
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 80).
Ecosystem
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)Compared on the ecosystem sub-score
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) leads on ecosystem (92 vs 82).
Value for money
Samsung SmartThings Station (Black)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Samsung SmartThings Station (Black) more score per dollar ($79 vs $129).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) | Samsung SmartThings Station (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 | — |
| Release year | — | 2023 |
| Color | — | Black |
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
Samsung SmartThings Station (Black)
- +Matter/Thread support (modern SKUs)
- +App-based setup
- +Works with major voice assistants
- −Subscription sometimes required
- −Cloud dependency on many
- −Ecosystem lock-in
FAQ: Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) vs Samsung SmartThings Station (Black)
Which is better, Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) or Samsung SmartThings Station (Black)? +
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 10. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
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.
Is Samsung SmartThings Station (Black) worth the price? +
At $79, Samsung SmartThings Station (Black) delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in ease.
Does Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) or Samsung SmartThings Station (Black) 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, Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) or Samsung SmartThings Station (Black)? +
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) — leads on ease (96 vs 84). Compared on the ease of use sub-score.
Which is better for features, Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) or Samsung SmartThings Station (Black)? +
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) — leads on features (96 vs 80). Compared on the features sub-score.