Is Apple TV+ Right for You?
Apple TV+ is a subscription-based video streaming service. The Apple TV app, which allows up to six users per subscription, is ad-free. Apple TV+ primarily focuses on original content only available through the app, such as Ted Lasso, Severance, and Mythic Quest. They also have a variety of movies and children’s content, including Ghostwriter, Helpsters, and The Snoopy Show.
Apple TV+ Review
While Apple TV+ continues to improve, especially with high-quality original content, it continues to fall short compared to competitors due to its small content library. Positives for Apple TV+ include the low cost, lack of ads, ability to download content to view offline, and the growing library of critically acclaimed originals. Downsides for the streaming service include the small content library, a slightly confusing user experience, and limited device compatibility.*
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What are People Saying About Apple TV+?
"From a technical perspective, Apple TV+ holds its own. For instance, professional reviewers tend to agree that its interface is straightforward to use. They also point out another plus: It offers 4K video without making subscribers pay extra." - Mackenzie Roche, U.S. News"Apple TV Plus has made strides in the last year or so and will continue to improve in the future, with more star-studded originals on the way. But until it adds a catalog of familiar shows or a buzzy original, it will remain a secondary streaming choice." - Alison DeNisco Rayome, CNET
"Apple TV+ is impressive from a technical standpoint, but its current library of original content is not competitive with that of top-tier video streaming services." - Michael Muchmore, PCMag
"Apple TV+’s content is entertaining enough and brilliantly produced but, currently, there’s nowhere near enough of it." - What Hi-Fi
"The only chink in the Apple armor is that the Apple TV+ app can be a little confusing at times, the original content is a bit paltry for now, and—this is not Netflix." - John Brandon, Reviews.org
"As with all things Apple, the presentation is gorgeous; the truckloads of cash laid out to launch Apple TV+ is on full display. Even better, Apple TV+ will run on devices that aren’t iOS." - Bill Frost, CableTV.com
"There needs to be more content even as a free service in order for me to count it as a go to channel." - Michelle, Consumer Reviewer, Consumer Affairs
*Disclaimer: Streaming service ratings are calculated as an average from authoritative sources around the web. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the official views of SmartMove.
How Much Does Apple TV+ Cost?
There are currently a few offers to choose from:
- Purchase an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Macbook, etc.) and get Apple TV+ free for three months.
- Sign up for a monthly subscription ($6.99/month) after a seven-day free trial.
- Bundle it with the Apple One service which combines other services such as Apple Music, Apple iCloud storage, and more. The Apple One bundle starts at $16.95/month.
What Do You Get With Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ offers a selection of Apple Originals which includes Emmy-winning TV shows, documentaries, and movies.
- TV shows such as Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Oprah Talks, For All Mankind, Severance, Dickinson, and the Morning Show.
- Kid’s content such as Doug Unplugs, Stillwater, Fraggle Rock, and Helpsters.
- Documentaries such as Earth At Night, Becoming You, Tiny World, and Little America.
- Original music series from Billie Eilish, Sara Bareilles, and Bruce Springsteen’s Letter To You.
- Sports content such as Greatness Code, MLS Season Pass, and Friday Night Baseball.
- Movies such as Coda, Tetris, You Hurt My Feelings, Palmer, On The Rocks, Greyhound, and The Banker.
How is Apple TV+ Different Than a Traditional Streaming Service?
There are two key differentiators between Apple TV+ and a more traditional cable streaming service.
First, Apple TV+ offers very little live TV content.The only live content offered by Apple TV+ are MLS games and Friday Night MLB games. To watch more live content, you’ll need to supplement your entertainment package with another TV service.
Secondly, on a more positive note, Apple TV+ has some of the highest quality streaming out there with 4K offered in the base package. Other streaming services may charge a premium for that level of picture quality.
What Do You Need to Get Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ requires an Internet connection with a speed of at least 2.5 Mbps for SD content, though we advise having a faster connection of at least 25 Mbps for 4K/HDR content if you have multiple devices connected and streaming all at once.
Then all you need is a compatible device to stream your favorite content on. As this is an Apple owned service, almost all Apple devices allow you to stream your favorite movies and shows. With that said, they currently do not support Android devices, with the exception of some smart TVs such as Sony. However, the app can be found on Apple TV devices, Chrome OS, Apple phone/tablet, even from a current generation PlayStation or Xbox console.
How does Apple TV+ compare?
Apple TV+ can be streamed on a number of connected TV devices such as the Apple TV (4K, HD, and 3rd generation), Smart TVs such as the Samsung, LG, VIZIO, and Sony. Subscribers can also stream on current generation gaming consoles, such as the PlayStation and Xbox. The service also extends to devices such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV. See a full list of compatible devices.
Apple TV+ is a streaming service Apple released in November 2019 that features original shows and movies, groundbreaking documentaries, kid’s entertainment, and more.
Apple TV+ is only available on third generation (or later) Apple TV devices.
Yes, Apple TV+ features dozens of movies. View all Apple TV+ movies.
Apple TV+ offers live coverage of MLS matches on MLS Season Pass and MLB games on Friday Night Baseball.
Yes, you can share access to Apple TV+ with up to six people through family sharing.
Yes, Apple TV+ is available to stream on most Roku devices.
Yes, Apple TV+ is one of the few streaming services that offers 4K content.