Apple TV+ Review 2024: Apple's Flawed Entry into the Streaming Market
Table of Contents
- Explaining Our Rating for Apple TV+
- Apple TV+ 60-Second Summary
- What is Apple TV+?
- Who is Apple TV+ for?
- Apple TV+ Pros and Cons
- Apple TV+ Plans and Pricing
- Can I Get Apple TV+ Free for Three Months?
- Apple TV+ Stream Quality
- Apple TV+ Device Support
- Apple TV+ Streaming Library
- Apple TV+ Customer Support
- How to Cancel Apple TV+
- Apple TV+ Refund Policy
- Final Comments
Apple TV+ has been around for nearly three years now and has had its share of growing pains. Despite leveraging Apple's global brand power, the service still struggles to break through in the crowded streaming market. Offering original content such as Ted Lasso and The Morning Show, Apple TV+ has carved a niche for itself but faces stiff competition from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Is Apple TV+ finally ready for prime time? Let's dive into the details and review everything you need to know before subscribing.
Explaining Our Rating for Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is a perfectly good streaming service, but not one that is essential. While it boasts some high-quality original programming, its content library is still limited. Unlike its competitors, it focuses solely on original content without offering the expansive catalogs of licensed shows that other services provide.
This lack of content depth means that while Apple TV+ offers standout shows like Ted Lasso and Severance, you'll run out of things to watch quickly. For now, it's a streaming service you subscribe to for specific shows, not one that you need year-round. Once you've caught up with its top titles, you can cancel and come back when there's something new.
Apple TV+ 60-Second Summary
Launched in 2019, Apple TV+ is Apple's attempt to capture a slice of the streaming market. For just $9.99/month, you get access to a growing library of original movies, TV shows, and documentaries. Despite its ambitious plans, Apple TV+ is still playing catch-up to established services like Netflix and Hulu, mainly due to its limited content offering. While the platform does offer a 7-day free trial, it doesn't support Android devices, and its streaming quality sometimes suffers from buffering and lag.
What is Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ is an on-demand streaming service that offers a selection of original content produced by Apple. Unlike its competitors, it doesn't rely on licensing third-party content from other studios, instead focusing on creating its own exclusive series and movies. This strategy has worked well for some shows—Ted Lasso, Severance, and The Morning Show are prime examples of Apple TV+'s ability to produce buzzworthy, high-quality content.
However, the service still suffers from a thin library compared to other streaming giants. Apple TV+ launched with entirely original content after failing to secure licensing deals with other media companies, leaving it without beloved classics like Friends or The Office.
Who is Apple TV+ for?
Apple TV+ is ideal for viewers who love original content and don't mind waiting for new shows or movies to arrive. While the service is not aimed at those seeking a vast catalog of licensed content, its appeal lies in its exclusive offerings, many of which have garnered critical acclaim.
Who should consider Apple TV+?
- Fans of high-quality, original programming (e.g., Ted Lasso, Severance, Foundation)
- Those with Apple devices, as the platform is optimized for them (though there is support for other devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung Smart TVs).
- People looking for an ad-free experience at a reasonable price.
Who might want to skip it?
- Users with Android devices will find Apple TV+ frustrating due to the lack of native support.
- Viewers who prefer a larger content library may find Apple TV+ lacking.
Apple TV+ Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Original Content: Apple TV+ boasts a collection of highly-rated original series, including Ted Lasso, Severance, For All Mankind, and Foundation. These shows have garnered widespread critical acclaim and are the service's biggest draw.
- Planned Spending on Content: With an estimated annual budget of $1 billion to $6 billion, Apple TV+ has plenty of potential for expansion.
- Simultaneous Streams: Unlike many competitors, Apple TV+ allows you to stream on up to six devices simultaneously, a plus for large households.
- Ad-Free: Apple TV+ provides an entirely ad-free viewing experience, which is a significant perk compared to many competitors at similar price points.
Cons:
- Limited Content Library: Apple TV+ lacks the vast library of licensed content that its competitors offer, making it less appealing for those who want to browse a larger selection.
- No Android Support: The service doesn't support Android devices natively, meaning Android users can only access content via a web browser—far from ideal.
- Streaming Issues: Users report occasional buffering and slow loading times, especially on older devices.
- User Interface: The platform’s interface could use an overhaul, as it can be difficult to navigate and find new content.
Apple TV+ Plans and Pricing
Apple TV+ offers a single subscription plan at $9.99/month. This includes access to all its original programming, which has expanded since its launch but still lacks the breadth of competitors.
Can I Get Apple TV+ Free for Three Months?
Yes, Apple offers a three-month free trial with the purchase of eligible Apple devices, including an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac. The free trial is available when you register your new device and sign in with your Apple ID.
Apple TV+ Stream Quality
Apple TV+ supports HD, 4K, and HDR streaming, with Dolby Atmos support for immersive sound. However, the service occasionally suffers from buffering issues and slow start times, making for a less-than-ideal streaming experience. Additionally, scene previews are often missing, and the platform can sometimes fail to save your progress when resuming content.
Apple TV+ Device Support
Apple TV+ is available on a wide range of devices, including Apple products (iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TV) as well as on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung and LG smart TVs, and PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Unfortunately, Android devices and Android TV are not supported, which limits the service's reach.
Apple TV+ Streaming Library
Apple TV+ is home to several standout original shows, including:
- Ted Lasso (Comedy)
- Severance (Thriller, Black Comedy)
- The Morning Show (Drama)
- Foundation (Sci-Fi Drama)
- For All Mankind (Sci-Fi Drama)
- Dickinson (Comedy)
Apple TV+ has also expanded into sports with exclusive broadcasts of Friday Night Baseball, a multi-million-dollar investment in MLB.
However, the service still lacks the extensive back-catalog that competitors like Netflix and Hulu offer, which can make it feel like a niche service.
Apple TV+ Customer Support
Apple TV+ offers several support channels:
- Knowledge Base and Articles
- Phone Support
- Chat Support
- Community Forum
While customer support is generally reliable, users have reported that the knowledge base is lacking. Your best bet is to use chat or phone support if you run into any issues.
How to Cancel Apple TV+
If you’re not satisfied with Apple TV+, canceling your subscription is simple. Just go to Settings, select Account Settings, then choose Manage Subscriptions and Cancel Subscription. Be mindful that canceling during a free trial will end access immediately.
Apple TV+ Refund Policy
Apple TV+ does not offer refunds once a payment is made. If you cancel before the end of your billing cycle, you’ll still have access until that date.
Final Comments
While Apple TV+ delivers some of the best original content available today, it’s still far from perfect. The limited content library, lack of Android support, and occasional streaming issues mean that Apple TV+ may not be a top-tier choice for everyone. However, with Apple's deep pockets and a growing content budget, it has the potential to become a major player in the streaming world.
Recommendation: If you're a fan of its original programming, consider subscribing for a month to catch up on your favorite shows. Afterward, you can cancel and return later when new content is available.
Apple TV+
- Price: $9.99/month
- Free Trial: 7 days
- No Ads
- 6 Simultaneous Streams
- Offline Viewing
