When Apple a few days ago introduced a new generation Apple TV 4K, has caused quite mixed reactions among fans. The new product has seen a significant increase in performance and the integration of microphones for activation Siri voice, but it has also become quite expensive between generations. Apple is charging $299 for its latest TV box, which is $50 more than it cost in recent months after the price increase Apple TV 4K 3rd generation. Therefore, criticism began to appear on social networks that Apple TV is suddenly unnecessarily expensive and that the Californian giant has lost touch with reality. However, if we look into the history of this product, we find out one rather interesting thing. Exactly $299 Apple was already accounting in 2007, when it introduced the very first Apple TV.
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Apple TV it once cost $299
It may surprise you, but the first generation Apple TV, which arrived on the market almost twenty years ago, actually started at a price of $299. At that time, it was a device that was very limited from today's perspective, for example due to the absence of App Store and was primarily used to play multimedia content from iTunes on the TV. Today's streaming applications, games or advanced smart home functions could not be expected by userschat just dream
However, in the following years Apple chose a completely different pricing strategy. The second generation from 2010 was reduced to just $99, which was also true for the model introduced in 2012. In 2015, the price increased to $149, and two years later Apple TV The 4K started at $179. The 2021 generation also retained the same price, while the 2022 model, on the other hand, was basically cheaper at $129, although it later increased in price to the aforementioned $249. The current return to $299 is definitely not a completely new price level, but rather a return to where this product started nineteen years ago.
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But the same price doesn't mean the same value
However, there is one more important thing to remember. While $299 was a significantly larger amount in 2007 than it is today, the current price has a significantly lower real value due to inflation. According to historical price conversions, $299 back then was equivalent to approximately $491 today. From this perspective, the new Apple TV It actually comes out cheaper than its very first generation, even though it costs the same "numerically".
Nevertheless, I quite honestly understand why the current model is criticized for its price. Apple because in 2022 he proved the price Apple TV 4K is pushed down to $129, and customers have become accustomed to a relatively affordable TV box. The new product offers a more powerful A19 chip, Wi-Fi 7 support, improved home theater capabilities, and other features, but for regular Netflix or YouTube viewing, these innovations may not be enough reason to pay such a significant premium.
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Personally, I also find the current price increase a bit contradictory. It is true that $299 is not a historic price. Apple TV nothing new and, given inflation, it is even a more favorable price than in 2007. At the same time, I think that over the last sixteen years we have become accustomed to completely different amounts. That's why the current return to the roots hurts so much. History is simply repeating itself, but this time the fans are the ones who benefit from it. AppThey're not too enthusiastic.
