HotshotTek's Apple TV warning leaves room for a new remote
His upgrade analysis draws an unusually large early audience, with viewers asking whether their existing streaming boxes can stay put.
HotshotTek
Story of Why this story? The video opened at a pace of 74,781 views a day, 7.2 times a normal first day on this channel (10,320).
New Apple TV 4K Changes Nobody Is Talking About
Things we can learn from the video
Press to jump
- 0:51The host says Siri AI support is also coming to older Apple TV 4K models through a software update.
- 1:53HDMI passthrough remains missing, one of his main objections to the new box.
- 2:53The redesigned Siri Remote adds a Find My speaker and can be purchased separately for $59.
- 4:22Hardware upgrades include standard 128 GB storage, Ethernet, 8 GB of RAM and Wi-Fi 7.
- 5:17He questions whether home-hub and multi-HomePod audio features justify the $299 price.
- 7:06His verdict is to avoid buying on day one unless upgrading from an old model.
A worn-out fast-forward button doesn't have to mean replacing the whole streaming box. That's the useful distinction in HotshotTek's "Don't Buy the New Apple TV Before Watching This": the host puts the new box's $299 price beside a redesigned Siri Remote sold separately for $59.
The video has drawn more than 41,000 views in nine hours, putting it on course for a first-day audience roughly seven times the channel's usual. Its comment section is already several times busier than a typical full first day, too.
This isn't a blanket dismissal of the hardware. The host describes a faster A19 chip, more memory, standard expanded storage and Wi-Fi 7. But he keeps returning to what those changes actually offer someone whose existing Apple TV still works. He notes that Siri AI support is also coming to older models, while HDMI passthrough remains absent from the new box.
The remote supplies a smaller, more practical upgrade: a built-in speaker to help locate it through Find My, with compatibility across several older Apple TV models. One viewer says that option lets them replace a worn-out remote without buying another box. Others ask whether their third-generation models need replacing at all, or raise the missing audio passthrough.
By the conclusion, HotshotTek advises against a day-one purchase unless someone is upgrading from an old model. For existing owners, his breakdown makes the accessory at least as relevant as the headline device.
Published on Trari
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What viewers say
Was going to buy this as the FF button on my remote is worn out, but now I'm saving $240 and buying a new remote that has "Find my..." AND is compatible with my Gen 3. Thanks man, you just made my whole day!
@botch3936See it on YouTubeSo if I have the 2022 4K version there is basically no reason to upgrade?
@alexrobinSee it on YouTubeI was expecting good audio pass through for Surround sound
@FlatEarthDenierSee it on YouTube
2 more comments
I have 3rd Gen - was really hoping for something more but I’ll pass.
@torchboxSee it on YouTubeI still have the apple tv HD no 4k still stream to it from my mac mini no problems see no reason to update if it still works then why remove and replace it
@johnDingoFoxVelocitySee it on YouTube
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- Channel
- HotshotTek
- Subscribers
- 439,000 ▲ 2,000 this week
- Channel views, last 7 days
- 1,122,716
- Channel views, pace per day
- 180,078 (on a normal day: 172,350)
- Video published
- October 13, 2026
- Video views so far
- 41,258 (less than a day online)
- Video views, pace per day
- 74,781
The numbers
The Apple TV analysis is starting much faster than HotshotTek's usual regular upload. Comments have also exceeded the channel's typical full first day within nine hours.
💡 Test your knowledge
What does HDMI stand for?
HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface, a connection standard that carries digital video and audio.