There are n’t many devices that have a through argument go back nearly a decade . But the Roku Ultra is one of them . And eight years after its debut ( its parentage really go back much farther than that , though ) , we have a new Roku Ultra for 2024 , some three year after its last update .
On paper , this is likely a evenhandedly typicalRokurollout , with the workhorse streaming equipment realise reiterative update across the dining table . fast CPU . fast app launches . Better wireless networking . Improved remote ascendence . And improved compatibility with Roku ’s own budding impertinent home plate accessories lineup .
And , of line , there are all the superlatives you ’ve come to bear from any company ’s launch . Best . Fastest . unrivaled . Says Roku itself in its blog post announcing the new streamer : “ We ’ve train a twist that has it all . Our novel 2024 Roku Ultra is our most powerful role player to escort , a culmination of days of listen to our customer feedback and leverage our streaming expertise . ”
There ’s no refuse that — it ’s basically what Roku has done with every equipment every couple year . Slow and firm improvements to capitalize on a consumer base that just wants something that work , and does n’t want to give a whole lot for it . And on that front , the novel Roku Ultra has a retail price of $ 99 , which puts it right in line with the newGoogle TV Streamer , and a in effect fleck below theApple TV 4 K , which we still consider to be thebest streaming gadget you’re able to bribe .
Roku aver the novel gimmick has a quad - core processor that is “ role - built for cinematic streaming , ” though , presumptively , you could also teem thing that are not cinematic . It back Dolby Vision and HDR10 + ( no password yet on other standards like HLG ) , as well as Dolby Atmos for audio . And Roku says it ’s “ 30 % faster than other Roku participant , ” but that ’s probably a bad comparison given that it ’s supposed to be good than every other Roku player . But it does say that “ content gobs quicker , sailing is more fluid , and streaming feel snappier . ”
And , of course , we could n’t get through this without a nod to AI or machine learning — Roku says this new machine will learn what app it thinks you ’re going to open next and get it ready to go in the background .
Arguably as important is the updated networking stack . The newfangled Roku Ultra supports Wi - Fi 6 , or 802.11ax . How much of a difference of opinion that makes will depend on your home internet and ISP , of course , but it ’s unspoilt to see the computer hardware maintain comparatively close to the bleeding boundary .
And this raw Roku Ultra comes with the second - edition Roku Voice Remote Pro — the one with USB - C recharging and one - button lost remote finder capacity , along with backlit clit .
The new Roku Ultra is available now from Roku and will arrive at other retailers in the come weeks .
