Apple posts detailed roster of first AirPlay 2-equipped TVs

Following up on third-party announcements at CES 2019, Apple has posted a list of the initial TVs slated to get AirPlay 2 — containing good news for recent Vizio and Samsung buyers, but not for LG or Sony owners.

All Vizio D-, E-, M-, and P-Series sets shipped since 2017 should be ready after a software update, Apple indicated, along with 2018 and 2019 P-Series Quantum models. Samsung is meanwhile promising support on 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, and QLED-Series sets made in 2018 and 2019.

Only 2019 models of LG's OLED, UHD UM7X, and NanoCell SM8X and SM9X TVs will have compatibility. Likewise, the first Sony sets will be this year's Z9G, A9G, X950G and X850G — in the case of the X850G, versions 55 inches or bigger.

Samsung surprised the tech industry on Sunday by revealing it would be adding both AirPlay 2 and an iTunes app to TVs. Until this week third-party AirPlay 2 support was mostly constrained to speakers and receivers, and iTunes was limited to Apple devices and Windows PCs.

Announcements from Vizio, LG, and Sony followed suit, though none of those mentioned a native iTunes app.

AirPlay 2 will let people with Apple products push photos, video, and audio to TVs, including through Siri commands like "Play 'Blade Runner 2049' in the Living Room." It also means HomeKit integration for purposes like automation, and controlling some TV functions through the Apple Home app.

Where to buy an AirPlay 2-enabled TV right now

Retailers, such as B&H Photo and Amazon.com, carry a variety of 2017 and 2018 models found on the list of televisions that will support AirPlay 2. Below is a sampling of buying options available right now.

Available now

Samsung QLED Series (2018): From $897.99* @B&H
Samsung QLED Series (2018): From $897.99 @Amazon
VIZIO P-Series 65"-Class HDR UHD Smart LED TV: $1,199.99* @B&H
VIZIO M-Series (2017, 2018, 2019): From $628* @B&H
VIZIO E-Series (2017, 2018, 2019): From $329.99* @B&H
VIZIO D-Series (2017, 2018, 2019): From $119.99* @B&H

Coming soon

VIZIO P Series Quantum 65" LED TV (2019): $2,198* @B&H *B&H Photo will not collect sales tax on orders shipped outside these states.

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13 Comments

ElCapitan 372 comments · 6 Years

About 5 years ago

Does all these TVs announced with AirPlay2 undermine the market for AppleTV?

Usually you can install a large number of applications (many Android based) on these TVs that mirror the most popular apps on ATV. With the addition of the ability to stream both video and audio from Apple devices to them, an ATV suddenly may seem like a product in search for a solution.

Roger_Fingas 148 comments · 8 Years

ElCapitan said:

Does all these TVs announced with AirPlay2 undermine the market for AppleTV?
Usually you can install a large number of applications (many Android based) on these TVs that mirror the most popular apps on ATV. With the addition of the ability to stream both video and audio from Apple devices to them, an ATV suddenly may seem like a product in search for a solution.

To a certain extent, but many people will still want to upgrade older TVs, or improve their experience on recent ones. AirPlay is less convenient than picking up a Siri remote and whipping through apps.

mike1 3431 comments · 10 Years

ElCapitan said:

Does all these TVs announced with AirPlay2 undermine the market for AppleTV?
Usually you can install a large number of applications (many Android based) on these TVs that mirror the most popular apps on ATV. With the addition of the ability to stream both video and audio from Apple devices to them, an ATV suddenly may seem like a product in search for a solution.

In reality, the vast majority of people buying new TVs would prefer to access the streaming apps and other features (AirPlay2) through the TV rather than an external device, regardless of the experience.
Therefore, I wouldn't see this affecting Apple TV sales much at all. Long term, what you might see is an "Apple TV" built in to many TVs. This would be great for Apple as it would drive more people to the app store and it would eliminate any perceived need for Apple to get into the TV hardware business. Let the TV companies make TVs with built-in Apple TV functionality.

jcs2305 1341 comments · 11 Years

mike1 said:

ElCapitan said:

Does all these TVs announced with AirPlay2 undermine the market for AppleTV?
Usually you can install a large number of applications (many Android based) on these TVs that mirror the most popular apps on ATV. With the addition of the ability to stream both video and audio from Apple devices to them, an ATV suddenly may seem like a product in search for a solution.

In reality, the vast majority of people buying new TVs would prefer to access the streaming apps and other features (AirPlay2) through the TV rather than an external device, regardless of the experience.
Therefore, I wouldn't see this affecting Apple TV sales much at all. Long term, what you might see is an "Apple TV" built in to many TVs. This would be great for Apple as it would drive more people to the app store and it would eliminate any perceived need for Apple to get into the TV hardware business. Let the TV companies make TVs with built-in Apple TV functionality.

This is what I was thinking as well.. My TCL 4k tv in the bedroom has Roku built in.. and I have been thinking for a while now how nice it would be if Apple did the same with TV Manufacturers!

exceptionhandler 377 comments · 13 Years

I personally don’t like smart TVs. I’d prefer a dumb tv and I’ll bring my own set top and/or receiver. If I ever get a “smart” tv, I’ll disable whatever I can and keep it off the network. I just don’t trust the software on these race to the bottom devices.