We were always an Apple TV household before smart TVs really caught on, but after using smart TVs and other streaming boxes at friends’ houses I’m never going to give up my Apple TV. It’s smooth and snappy and extremely reliable. Even the remote is easier to use and feels more solid in the hand than any other remote I’ve ever used. There’s just so much attention to detail and it’s so well thought out, whereas other companies’ smart TV platforms and streaming boxes feel like an afterthought. The only real downside is the price, but IMO it’s worth every penny to have a smart TV platform that works as smoothly as your iPhone.
I haven’t really seen many people complaining about the new remote. The older remote that had glass on the front wasn’t the worst remote I’ve ever used, but it was pretty bad. The new one keeps the spirit of the older one while making it more ergonomic, durable, and usable.