In the ever-expanding universe of streaming services, Apple TV+ has emerged as a significant player.
Launched in November 2019, this platform is Apple Inc.'s foray into the world of digital entertainment, offering a carefully curated selection of original content that caters to a diverse range of viewer preferences.
But with so many options available today, you might be wondering: Is Apple TV+ worth it? How does it stack up against the competition? What distinguishes it from other services?
In this post, we'll dive deep into all things Apple TV+, providing a comprehensive review that examines its features, content, pricing, and overall user experience.
Whether you're a dedicated Apple fan or a potential subscriber trying to navigate the crowded seas of streaming services, this review is designed to give you a clear understanding of what Apple TV+ brings to the table.
Apple TV Plus Review Summary
Apple TV Plus: The New Streaming Giant in Town $6.99/month
Name: Apple TV Plus
Description: Apple TV+ is a subscription-based streaming service owned and operated by Apple Inc. It was launched on November 1, 2019, and features a selection of original content, including award-winning series, compelling dramas, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids' entertainment.
Offer price: Starting from $6.99 per month
Currency: USD
Application Category: Streaming, Movies/Series
- Movies / Series / Live TV Selection
- Price Comparison
- Video Quality / Userability
Summary
The cost of Apple TV Plus is $6.99 per month, but if you buy an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or AppleTV, you'll get a year's subscription included. In addition, certain plans like T-Mobile's Magenta or Magenta MAX plan include an Apple TV+ subscription at no extra cost. Apple TV+ is known for its original TV shows and movies, with regular updates and upcoming releases to keep viewers engaged.
What does the Apple TV Plus include?
Apple TV+ is a streaming service that includes a variety of Apple Originals.
These consist of award-winning series, compelling dramas, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids' entertainment. The platform is known for its focus on quality over quantity, with regular updates and upcoming releases to keep viewers engaged.
When you subscribe to Apple TV+, you gain access to all of its content, which can be watched on your TV, Apple devices, or on the web.
Top 10 most popular original titles on Apple TV Plus
| Show Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Ted Lasso | A comedy series about an American football coach who moves to England to manage a struggling soccer team. |
| The Morning Show | A drama exploring the world of morning news broadcasts, starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. |
| Foundation | A science fiction series based on Isaac Asimov's book series of the same name. |
| For All Mankind | An alternate history series that imagines a world where the global space race never ended. |
| Mythic Quest | A comedy series that follows the team behind the biggest multiplayer video game of all time. |
| Severance | A thrilling drama that explores work-life balance in a mysterious company that enforces a strict separation between work and personal life. |
| Shrinking | A new comedy-drama series. |
| The Essex Serpent | A historical drama series based on the novel of the same name by Sarah Perry. |
| City on Fire | A drama series set in 1980s New York City. |
| Black Bird | A mystery-thriller series that debuted in 2022. |
What is the difference between Apple TV and Apple TV+?
Apple TV and Apple TV+ serve different functions even though they are both offered by Apple.
Apple TV:
Apple TV is a digital media player and microconsole developed and sold by Apple Inc. It's a device that you connect to your television to play content from the internet, your iTunes library, or your iOS device.
It essentially turns your TV into a ‘smart' TV, allowing you to stream from services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.
Apple TV+:
On the other hand, Apple TV+ is a subscription-based streaming service. It offers a variety of Apple Originals, which includes TV shows, movies, and documentaries produced by Apple. This service can be accessed through the Apple TV app on your Apple TV device, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and some smart TVs.
In summary, Apple TV is the hardware that allows you to stream content, while Apple TV+ is one of the services you can access through this device, among others.
Is there a monthly fee for Apple TV+?
Yes, there is a monthly fee for Apple TV+. The service costs $6.99 per month, and it offers a variety of original movies and shows.
However, the price can vary depending on whether you subscribe to additional services as part of the Apple One bundle.
| Service | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|
| Apple TV+ only | $6.99 |
| Apple One (Individual) – includes Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud storage | $16.95 |
The Individual tier of Apple One, which includes Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud storage, is priced at $16.95 a month. Please note that prices are subject to change.
Why is Apple TV Plus cheap?
One of the main factors is that Apple TV Plus is tied to the Apple ecosystem, meaning it's often bundled with the purchase of an Apple device. This allows Apple to subsidize the cost of the service, making it cheaper for consumers.
Moreover, Apple TV Plus focuses on original content rather than a vast library of third-party shows and movies, which helps keep costs down.
Additionally, Apple's business model isn't solely dependent on the revenue from Apple TV Plus; instead, the service is part of a broader strategy to enhance the overall Apple ecosystem, driving sales of their hardware products and other services.
Is Apple TV Plus worth getting?
Whether Apple TV Plus is worth getting depends on your specific interests and needs.
If you're interested in Apple's exclusive content, Apple TV Plus could be a good choice for you. The shows offered by Apple TV Plus are of excellent quality, which can be a huge advantage for many viewers.
At $6.99 per month, it's on par with Hulu and cheaper than many other streaming services. Despite its low price, Apple TV Plus offers high-end features like 4K resolution.
However, if you don't have an Apple device, Apple TV or TV+ may not be worth it.
Is Apple TV Plus better than Netflix?
The comparison between Apple TV Plus and Netflix comes down to a few key factors: price, content volume, and quality.
Sure, here's a simple comparison table for Apple TV Plus and Netflix:
| Features | Apple TV Plus | Netflix |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $6.99 | Starts at $9.99 |
| Content Volume | Limited but high-quality original content | Extensive library with thousands of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content |
| Video Quality | Up to 4K HDR | Up to 4K HDR (on premium plan) |
| Number of Screens (simultaneously) | Up to 6 | 1 on Basic, 2 on Standard, and 4 on Premium |
| Offline Viewing | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trial | 7-day | No |
| Device Compatibility | Wide range including Apple devices, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices | Wide range including smart TVs, gaming consoles, computers, mobile devices, and streaming devices |
Please note that the specifics can change over time as both services regularly update their features and content libraries.
In terms of price, Apple TV Plus is significantly cheaper than Netflix. It only has one pricing plan that gives you full access to the entire streaming library.
When considering the volume of content, Netflix has far more content than Apple TV Plus. This situation isn't expected to change anytime soon.
Quality-wise, Apple TV Plus offers excellent quality TV shows and movies. However, the lack of content doesn't make it worthy enough for a subscription until they can increase their offerings.
If your primary interest is in streaming shows and movies, then Netflix might be the best choice due to its extensive content library.
In conclusion, whether Apple TV Plus is better than Netflix depends on what you value more – price, quality, or quantity of content.
>> Click here to read our in-depth review of Netflix
Is Apple TV Plus better than Disney Plus?
Comparing Apple TV Plus and Disney Plus depends on various factors such as content, pricing, and audience preference.
Certainly, here's a comparison table for Apple TV Plus and Disney Plus:
| Features | Apple TV Plus | Disney Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $6.99 | $7.99 |
| Content Volume | Limited but high-quality original content | Extensive library including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic |
| Video Quality | Up to 4K HDR | Up to 4K UHD |
| Number of Screens (simultaneously) | Up to 6 | Up to 4 |
| Offline Viewing | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trial | 7-day | No |
| Device Compatibility | Wide range including Apple devices, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices | Wide range including smart TVs, gaming consoles, computers, mobile devices, and streaming devices |
Please note that the specifics can change over time as both services regularly update their features and content libraries.
Content:
Apple TV Plus is known for its unique, prestige-style content and original shows. On the other hand, Disney Plus has a vast library of content, including classic Disney movies, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content.
If you're after more unique, prestige-style content, Apple TV+ might be better. However, Disney Plus' vast amount of library content trumps what Apple currently has.
Pricing:
Both Apple TV Plus and Disney Plus are competitively priced. Apple TV Plus is slightly cheaper at $6.99 per month, while Disney Plus is priced at $7.99 per month.
Audience Preference:
If you want family-oriented viewing, Disney Plus is the clear winner as it offers a much bigger library of family-friendly content.
Apple TV Plus, however, has more award-winning content targeted towards a mature audience.
Device Compatibility:
Both streaming services are widely compatible with devices including smart TVs, gaming consoles, computers, mobile devices, and streaming devices.
If you prefer a large library of family-friendly content, Disney Plus may be the better option. But if you're interested in high-quality, unique content, Apple TV Plus could be the winner.
>> Click here to read our in-depth review of Disney+
How to get Apple TV Plus for free with T-Mobile in 2023
T-Mobile offers its customers a free Apple TV+ subscription as part of their Magenta or Magenta MAX plan.
Here's how you can claim this offer:
- If you're a T-Mobile customer with a qualifying plan (Magenta or Magenta MAX), you are eligible to get Apple TV+ at no additional cost.
- Log in to your T-Mobile account. If you're using the T-Mobile app, select “Account” and then “ADD-ONS” on any line. Then choose “Plan Details.”
- Look for an option that says “Apple TV+ on Us” or similar under the Services section.
- Follow the prompts to add the Apple TV+ subscription to your account.
- Once you've added the feature to your T-Mobile account, you will need to complete registration with Apple in the Apple TV app.
Please note that this information is based on the current offerings from T-Mobile and may be subject to change.
What are the pros and cons of Apple TV Plus?
Benefits:
- Affordable alternative for users on a budget.
- Provides endless content streaming from iTunes.
- High-quality original TV shows and movies.
- No commercials in the streaming service.
- MLS and MLB live sports are available.
- It is technically impressive with 4K streams that feature Dolby and HDR support.
Drawbacks:
- Limited library of original content.
- Majority of the shows and movies on the service are original, meaning not much licensed content is available.
- Episodes are rolled out weekly instead of all at once, which might not appeal to binge-watchers.
- Relatively small content library compared to other streamers.
- No add-ons or additional features outside of the basic subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are movies free with Apple TV Plus?
While Apple TV Plus requires a subscription, it offers a selection of content that can be viewed for free. The platform allows you to watch the first episode of many shows without charge, and there are at least 30 free episodes available.
However, movies or shows that indicate “rent” or “buy” are from the iTunes Store and they are not included in the free offerings or the Apple TV Plus subscription. These require separate purchases.
The Apple TV Plus subscription specifically covers Apple Original content. It's also worth noting that Apple TV Plus features new content monthly and often allows users to watch the first episode of new series for free.
2. What channels are on Apple TV Plus?
These are the channels available on Apple TV Plus:
- STARZ
- Paramount+
- MGM+
- BET+
- Acorn TV
- CBS Network
- CBS All Access (now Paramount+)
- CBS News
- CBS Sports
- A&E Crime Central
- Allblk (formerly Urban Movie Channel)
- AMC Plus
- Arrow Video Channel
- Bet Plus
- BFIPlayer Classics
3. How do I get my 1 year free Apple TV?
Apple had previously offered a one-year free Apple TV+ subscription with the purchase of a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac. However, as per the recent updates, this offer has now been concluded. In its place, Apple is currently offering three months of Apple TV+ for free to anyone who purchases a new device.
To claim this offer, you need to make sure your device is running the latest iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, or macOS. The offer must be claimed in the Apple TV app within three months after the first setup of the eligible device.
Some telecom companies like T-Mobile are also offering their customers a full year of Apple TV+ for free as part of their plan. So, depending on your location and carrier, you might have additional ways to get Apple TV+ subscription for free.
4. Can I cancel Apple TV anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your Apple TV+ subscription at any time. If you want to cancel it on an iPhone, you can open the Apple TV app, tap your profile icon, select Manage Subscriptions, choose Apple TV Plus, and then tap Cancel Subscription.
If you're using a web browser, you can go to tv.apple.com, choose the account icon at the top of the page, and follow the prompts to cancel your subscription.
If you cancel during a trial period or before your subscription renewal date, you'll still have access until the expiration date.