Philips
Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip (Black)
2020
86
/ 100
From $220
VS
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) wins by 6
Apple
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
A15 · HDR10+ · Thread border router
92
/ 100
From $129
Specdex verdict
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip (Black) lands at 86 and Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) at 92. That puts Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) ahead by 6 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip (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
Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip (Black) 86
vs 92 Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
Score breakdown
Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip (Black)
86 ecosystem 86
local 70
ease 84
features 84
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
92 ecosystem 92
local 80
ease 96
features 96
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip (Black) | Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2020 | — |
| 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 |
Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip (Black)
Pros
- +Matter/Thread support (modern SKUs)
- +App-based setup
- +Works with major voice assistants
Cons
- −Subscription sometimes required
- −Cloud dependency on many
- −Ecosystem lock-in
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
Pros
- +A15 silicon — fastest streaming box
- +HomeKit hub + Thread border router
- +No ads on home screen
Cons
- −Apple ecosystem-leaning
- −Pricier than Roku / Fire TV
- −Remote can hide behind couch
FAQ: Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip (Black) vs Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
Which is better, Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip (Black) or Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)? +
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip (Black) worth the price? +
At $220, Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip (Black) delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in ecosystem.
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 Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip (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.