What's Better? native Android TV on Sony A8H or the new Apple TV 4K?

by palkaly

I've been more than happy with the native Android TV on the Sony A8H. Even more so since the interface was upgraded to look more like the new Google TV. I love being able to use the Sony remote for everything. 1 remote for all! The picture quality when streaming from Netflix and HBOmax has been great as well as the sound pumping through my Sonos Beam and surrounds. I feel confident in my home theatre currently but i'm always looking for the best.

My question is this. How much better is the new Apple TV 4K that was just announced? Is it going to be a significant improvement over the native Android TV on my Sony A8H? Am I going to see an improvement in picture and sound quality? Am I going to love the new apple remote and the interface that much more? Is it Faster? Easier to use?

I'm asking someone out there to sell me on spending $179.99+tax on the new Apple TV 4K

GR3YH4TT3R93

I would go for a Nvidia Shield because it's Android TV with a badass processor so you get the freedom of Android and the high performance and up-to-date features like Dolby Vision, 4k AI upscaling, and native decoding for both Dolby True HD and DTS audio (Apple TV is hot garbage if you want to use anything other than DD/ DD+ or Atmos)

chubbybator

Are you bought in on the apple ecosystem already?

meezer54

I'm very happy with the my x950H and Android TV apps. I have the previous version ATV 4K and rarely use it since getting this TV about 5 months ago. I don't see any difference in picture or sound quality (Vizio 5.1 soundbar). Like you, I love having an all in one with Android TV and the remote. Even my fibre TV comes in on the app, never even use the inputs.

crogs571

Why don't you actually try the android experience on the TV for a month and see if it does the trick. If the answer is yes, then why even consider ATV? If the experience is leaving you wanting, buy it and try it. You can always return it.

TripleGGG4111

Worse for upscaling would be my guess … Sony has the best upscaling for 720p/1080p content … I tried the previous atv4k and nvidia shield and Sony vastly superior … it’s as if it uses dots to draw the content va blocks … really noticeable with soccer players … but see it with other sports.

All you can do is try it … Apple has a nicer return policy … Costco has a longer one … give it a try report back.

I don’t see the value proposition for the atv4k since the Sony has great, fast apps on the android ecosystem. Sony has Netflix calibrated mode also … nicer creators intent for that platform.

Perhaps Apple has better privacy ? Mostly marketing fluff as I’ve looked into it … but maybe?