Roku
Roku Ultra (2024)
$99.99Cheaper
Released 2024-09
Best Streaming Devices · head-to-head
Roku Ultra (2024) vs Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Roku Ultra (2024) is cheaper at $99.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Apple
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
$129
Released 2022-11
Which is better: the Roku Ultra (2024) or Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)?
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Roku Ultra (2024) is the cheaper at $99.99. Get the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) for the stronger spec sheet, the Roku Ultra (2024) to spend less.
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Key specs, head to head
The numbers that decide it, drawn to scale — longer bar wins, the accent bar is the stronger figure.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Roku Ultra (2024) | Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $99.99 | $129 |
| Brand | Roku | Apple |
| Released | 2024-09 | 2022-11 |
| Max resolution | 4K | 4K |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Processor | Realtek 1619BRV | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Storage (GB) | 4 | 64 |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 |
| Remote voice | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes | No |
| Release | 2024-09 | 2022-11 |
Sources — Roku Ultra (2024): roku.com (verified 2026-06-15). Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen): apple.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Roku Ultra (2024) and Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Processor: Roku Ultra (2024) Realtek 1619BRV vs Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) Apple A15 Bionic
- Storage (GB): Roku Ultra (2024) 4 vs Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) 64
- Ethernet: Roku Ultra (2024) true vs Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) false
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Roku Ultra (2024)
Three whitelisted hands-on reviews (TechRadar, PCWorld, Tom's Guide) survived verification, all covering the exact 2024 Roku Ultra. All three praise its speed versus Roku's cheaper streaming sticks/dongles and the backlit, USB-C rechargeable Voice Remote Pro, plus Roku's deep catalog of free content. All three flag intrusive and growing home-screen banner ads, and PCWorld and Tom's Guide stress it is barely an upgrade over older Ultras. Note: full Dolby Vision/HDR10+/Atmos support is enumerated in full only by TechRadar; PCWorld cites only Dolby Atmos and Tom's Guide only Dolby Vision. (3 sourced reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
Praised: Speedy performance, clearly faster than Roku's cheaper streaming sticks/dongles; Backlit, rechargeable (USB-C) Voice Remote Pro; Excellent library of free ad-supported movies, shows and channels.
Flagged: Intrusive and growing banner ads on the home screen; Barely an upgrade over older Roku Ultra models; Expensive relative to other Roku streamers / at the high end of the category.
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)
Four whitelisted testers (Tom's Guide, Engadget, PCWorld/TechHive, What Hi-Fi) hands-on reviewed the 3rd-gen Apple TV 4K and unanimously call it the best streaming box, praising blazing A15 speed, the ad-free interface and a $50 price cut. Only Tom's Guide stopwatch-measured load times, clocking Netflix in 1 second and Disney Plus in 4. Gripes: still pricey, limited ports and no bundled HDMI cable. (4 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Fastest streaming box — snappy A15 performance and quick app launches; Clean, ad-free interface with tight Apple-ecosystem (AirPlay/AirPods/iCloud) integration; $50 price cut ($129 start) makes it far easier to recommend.
Flagged: Not worth upgrading from the 2021 model — minimal new features; Still pricey versus Roku Ultra / Fire TV Cube; Limited physical connectivity and no HDMI cable in the box.