Roku’s new Ultra streamer is the fastest yet and the first to support all HDR formats
Roku wants to make its Ultra streaming set-top box even more Ultra ; that’s the goal with its next-generation device, anyway. The new Roku Ultra retains a very familiar, essentially identical build and, importantly, keeps its $99 (around £75 / AU$145) price tag.
The Ultra is still a simple, rounded square streaming box that comes in one color, black, though it does get a flash of color with a purple label bearing the Roku logo. It’s all familiar from the outside, and speaks volumes to the fact that the Roku Ultra, unlike, say, the new Google TV Streamer, isn’t necessarily designed to be seen. It can sit next to your TV on a home entertainment unit, or simply slide in behind it.
All the changes are under the hood and are all focused on speed.
The fastest Roku yet
The new Ultra is powered by a quad-core processor that Roku says was completely redesigned for “cinematic streaming” and is 30% faster than other devices in the Roku lineup.
Not only should the Roku OS platform run smoothly and enable faster, more responsive app launches, it also adds more format support to this player. With HDR10+ and Dolby Vision on board, this Ultra is the first to support all major HDR formats, in addition to 4K and Dolby Atmos support. That means that when you pair this with the right TV, streamed content is going to look particularly good.
Like the Roku Ultra (2020), the Ultra still has an HDMI 2.1 port. It also supports Quick Media Switching, which should reduce lag when the refresh rate changes. There’s Wi-Fi 6 inside for faster streaming, assuming you have the right Wi-Fi access points. Roku uses machine learning and AI to predict what you’ll want to watch next and queues up the appropriate app or show for a faster start to streaming. There’s also an Ethernet port for a wired connection.
If you want to listen privately, you can now connect a pair of the best Bluetooth headphones to the Roku Ultra. This levels the playing field with the Apple TV 4K and Google TV Streamer, and it’s a long-awaited and welcome addition.
Roku adds two buttons to the Voice Remote Pro and uses USB-C
In the box, you’ll find Roku’s second-edition Voice Remote Pro, which retains an ergonomic design and buttons for easy TV control, including power and volume. All of the buttons are now backlit, and there are two new ones. The Quick Launch button is shaped like a rocket and gives you easy access to shortcuts, like turning on subtitles or opening your favorite streaming service. The other addition is a Live TV button, which gives you access to more than 400 channels that are available for free.
Perhaps the biggest change is that the Voice Remote Pro 2nd edition gains a USB-C port for easy charging. It still has a built-in speaker, making it easy to find if you lose it in the couch cushions. The new Roku Ultra has a dedicated button for pinging the remote, similar to the one on the Google TV streamer. Finally, the remote returns with a microphone, allowing you to easily control your Roku Ultra with your voice.
Roku is now accepting orders for the new Roku Ultra for $99 in the U.S. and Canada. It will be available at other retailers in the coming weeks, and we’ve reached out to Roku for comment on whether it will launch in other territories.
We’ll be back soon with our full review of the Roku Ultra, once we’ve finished testing the streaming box to see how well it compares to the best streaming devices we’ve currently got on offer.
Roku also teased some of the software improvements and feature drops coming in the coming weeks as part of Roku OS 14. Building on the voice control functionality made possible by the Voice Remote Pro, Roku will eventually give you access to a laundry list of settings with your voice. Spotted were the ability to customize home screen tiles, check for software updates, and even switch to a guest mode.
Roku is also focusing more on family and kids content. For example, there is a new place on the home screen that should make it easier to find family-friendly content. Familiar characters, such as the Cat in the Hat and Peppa Pig, are also being added to the tiles on the home screen.
The Roku app for Android and iOS is also getting a lot more powerful. It lets you keep your TV controls while browsing for content on the same screen. You can also search for content there, then make the call and have it played on your Roku streaming player or Roku-connected TV.
Roku isn’t giving a specific time frame for the rollout of these features, but says the software improvements will arrive in the coming months.
