When Apple TV+ was launched back in 2019, Apple users were instantly excited. Here was the one thing that their rounded universe was missing, aside from the regular old Apple TV app. Aside from a couple of very, very good TV shows and films, there wasn’t much to watch on Apple TV+ at first. Years later, that’s no longer the case. Now that they’ve accrued dozens of film and TV shows, including the historic Oscar-winner Coda and the beloved multi-Emmy Award Winner Ted Lasso, it’s time to re-evaluate the popular service.
Every time a new streaming service shows up on our horizon, viewers ask themselves the same question: Do we actually need another? Yeah, technology makes our lives easier, but with so many options out there, screen fatigue and diminishing wallets have become a real problem for viewers. Considering the latest material that’s been launched through Apple’s streaming platform, is Apple TV+ worth the splurge?
Here are the latest pros and cons of the service, taken from the perspective of its Smart TV viewing audience.
Update January 5, 2024: A new year means a time to look for some potential new streaming options, so this article has been updated by Amanda Minchin with even more up-to-date insight into the Apple TV+ streaming service.
Pro – The Original Material on Apple TV+ Is Excellent
Apple’s pedigree of original series is hard to deny. Shows like the insanely funny but good-natured Ted Lasso, the cleverly scripted The Morning Show have come away with their fair share of awards, with even more of their films poised to do the same. This past season racked up a lofty 16 nominations across six programs for the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards. As of this writing, Apple Originals have earned over 400 wins and nearly 1700 nominations across multiple platforms, from the Academy Awards to the Emmys, including a historic Best-Picture Oscar win for Coda. Combine that with new films from Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott, Killers of the Flower Moon and Napoleon, respectively, that’s not too shabby for a service that just turned five this past year!
Production budgets for these pieces are very high, giving every show a massive scale and spectacle. Shows like Severance and Lessons in Chemistry can feature Academy Award winners like Patrica Arquette and Brie Larson. Harrison Ford, one of the biggest movie stars in the world, stars in the AppleTV+ original Shrinking, and it is one of his best roles ever. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, a Godzilla-themed show that is part of the MonsterVerse, focuses on the more human elements while also featuring a fare share of big monster action to keep audiences invested and like they are not watching a watered down version of the movies.
Said VFX Supervisor Sean Konrad,
“…A lot of, the same stuff that we were doing for ‘Godzilla’ 2014 applied here. We need to make sure that the images are clear, we need to make sure that the compositions are strong. And then, on top of that, this is a human drama, and we need to tell it from the human point of view. And so we need to make our characters part of that action as much as possible.”
Con – Not As Much Original Material As Its Competitors
Unlike its competition, Apple TV+ only deals with originals… period. While a release rate of about one original a week is far from undervalued, it’s still not as much as other leading providers. Netflix, for example, recently halved its number of originals released to 49 in 2023, which is just barely less than Apple TV+ at 50.
Not only that but much of their TV series consists of easily binge-able miniseries, though individual episodes can go over an hour at times. This might simply be too easy for those in constant need of content to digest. Hardcore bingers might want to look elsewhere for a more sustained level of content. Still, viewers should stay tuned. Since streaming sports packages have entered the horizon, its anyone’s guess whether the originals-only trend will continue.
Pro – User Interface Looks Sleek and Shiny
When it comes to branding and the identity that should come along with it, Apple leads the race by far, and Apple TV+ is no exception to the rule. One look at the Apple TV+ landing page and it’s easy to tell who made it. The branding is minimalist, the pages full of large, perfectly spaced-out images.
From an aesthetic perspective, everything says Apple, from the fonts to the fluid interface and even the features that appear when you select a movie or a TV show. There is a reason Apple products are still so popular, and they have brought that level of design to their streaming service in an era where Netflix has become to cluttered and Prime Video still confuses people.
Con – User Interface is Not User Friendly
We get it. Apple has no intention of making its service appear like all the rest. But here’s the thing – other streaming services are FAR more user-friendly, with upfront stats on each selection.
There’s a lot to break down here, so pay attention. Different problems we found included the following:
- The search function isn’t easy to manipulate, and it doesn’t display the regular “movies or TV shows” buttons to let you select from the get-go. The only option is to scroll down and try to find something to watch among the already very limited options in the interface.
- Not surprisingly, there is also a voice search algorithm, albeit a spotty one that can sometimes have trouble with different linguistic types. Not surprisingly, when tested, it works much better on an iPhone.
- While AppleTV has other movies you can purchase, it is unclear which titles come with the service or which ones you have to pay for until after you click on it. If you are enjoying Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and want to watch Godzilla: King of the Monsters, you might see a banner for it on AppleTV+, but you still have to buy it or rent it.
It should be noted that redesigns in the works at the tail end of 2023 have helped take care of some of these issues.
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Pro – Three Months Free… With The Purchase of Apple Devices
It seems like a trap… but to be fair, Apple TV+ has one of the longest free trial periods around. Where most end within a few days to a week, free trials with Apple TV+, with the purchase of an Apple device, tend to be about free three months. Otherwise, it’s just a seven-day free trial like all the rest. Even so, there aren’t many brands that offer you free months to enjoy their service by buying something directly associated with them. It should be noted that there is a limit to how many free trials a user can cash in on. It usually caps at one qualifying purchase.
This all started back in 2019 when users were gifted a whole year for free. With so little original content to binge on, it almost didn’t feel fair at the time. Three months now is enough to indulge in their growing catalog… and when that’s done, signing on the dotted line is easy as well.
Apple TV+ just increased their prices again, though, compared to other subscriptions, $9.99 per month is much easier to swallow. Streaming fees range widely nowadays, from $4.99 to upwards of $30, and streamers have been on trend not just to increase their fees but to tack on extras to cover perks like multiple users.
Con – No Profiles, Which Makes Sharing… Inconvenient
We’re going to be honest. Everyone shares their password, regardless of the service. It’s something that won’t stop any time soon, no matter what streamers like Netflix might say. Apple’s solution for this “issue” is to limit the account to just one profile, though that profile can have up to 6 simultaneous streams. Perhaps this is a holdover from the original platform, which operated in more of an iTunes format.
From a commercial point of view, it makes sense. But in an ideal setting, users should be able to create profiles that include their loved ones, especially if they’re living in the same household. Doing so unwanted eyes, from pesky in-laws to kiddos, from checking out what paying viewers have been watching. Frankly, it’s an algorithmic nightmare in the making, one want to spurt out suggestions of The Velveteen Rabbit alongside Tehran.
Pro – Apple TV+ Is Highly Compatible
One great thing about streaming services in general, along with Apple TV+ in particular, is their cross-compatibility. The idea of picking up a film on one device before transitioning to another with ease would have been virtually unheard of just twenty years ago… unless there were multiple VHS or DVD players in the house.
In addition to being able to transition from phone to laptop with ease, Apple TV+ is compatible with a variety of streaming units. From Rokus to Firesticks and even Samsung and Google Smart TVs, it seems there is a streaming device for everybody. That’s right, even the competitors are in on the action!
Con – Apple TV+ Is Not Easily Android Compatible
This one’s a bummer. Apple TV+ isn’t easily available to download and use on non-Apple devices, like Samsung cellphones, that run on Android’s operating system. There’s a big difference between exclusivity and accessibility, and this is it. They’ve already opened up to devices like Roku and Fire TV sticks. So why are non-Apple cell phones out of the picture? Is it a technological thing? A grudge? Would Apple TV+ not look as good on other devices? Still, this is clearly a giant middle finger to Android and a huge thumbs down for potential users.
Thankfully, there are some tried and true workarounds to this. Opening up a web browser on the Android in question works like a charm, though it can still be affected by little things like buffering. However, parental controls can still be added, so at least the kiddos won’t stumble across anything unscrupulous by accident while they’re waiting to connect to Wi-Fi.
Should You Get AppleTV+
With all that said, is it worth purchasing AppleTV+? Well, that really does come down to what type of series someone wants to watch. AppleTV+ is best suited for viewers who are looking for a break from big IP-driven shows like those found on Disney+, Max, and Netflix and instead want more original material. AppleTV+ is investing more in original ideas, stars, and directors instead of being franchises (although they do have some of those). With series like Silo, The Foundation, and Severance, they are becoming a premiere destination for science fiction television while Ted Lasso and Shrinking have made them a great place for comedies with a lot of heart and drama.
While AppleTV certainly might not be a replacement for other streaming services, one could say that in terms of quality, the original series is certainly worthy of purchase. While Netflix might make more series and films in quantity, when it comes to quality, AppleTV+ is beating them in most categories.
For some, purchasing AppleTV+ is a nice workaround for cable. You can add other channels onto it, which, while raising the price, certainly would cost less than cable and give you more viewing options from platforms like Starz, Paramount+, Sundance, Shudder, Mubi, Noggin, IFC Films, and Curiosity Stream. All that material, combined with the ability to manage your own digital library of film and television purchases, would make AppleTV a one-stop destination for viewing.
AppleTV+ is a streaming service that might not have a lot of flashy titles at first to draw one in, but once you start looking around it is worth the purchase.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
