A question I get asked a lot on the Northern Beaches and North Shore: if you’ve got Foxtel iQ4 or iQ5, do you actually need a smart TV, or a smarter one, on top of it? My answer is almost always no. The Foxtel box now covers nearly everything most people want, and it’s fast and responsive.
What Foxtel iQ4 or iQ5 Already Handles for Northern Beaches Customers
Both boxes now run the big streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Stan, Paramount+, Apple TV+, BritBox and Max. You’ll also find the free-to-air catch-up apps, like ABC iview and SBS On Demand, plus sports apps like Optus Sport and F1 TV.
That covers most of what people mean when they say they want a “smart” TV. It’s already on the Foxtel box they’ve got plugged in. App lineups can change with updates, so check the box if there’s a particular app you need. CompareTV’s guide to the Foxtel iQ5 has more detail on the newest box.
Older Foxtel iQ4 Boxes Gained Apps Over Time
The iQ4 didn’t always have this full lineup. It started with far fewer apps, and Foxtel added more through software updates. The iQ5 is newer and faster.
So if you’re on an older iQ4, check what’s actually on it before assuming it’s missing something.
Why a Basic TV Is Often All You Need With Foxtel on the North Shore
Because the box does the heavy lifting, the TV mainly needs to show a good picture. You don’t need to pay extra for a TV packed with apps you’ll never open, since you’ll run everything through the Foxtel box anyway.
It’s worth thinking again if you want 4K from a source the Foxtel box doesn’t fully support, or smart home features that have nothing to do with streaming. But for the common question “do I need smart TV apps?”, most Foxtel customers already have them.
No Foxtel, and your TV’s apps are slow? A streaming box can do the same job. I’ve covered that in adding a streaming box to a slow TV, and compared Apple TV with built-in smart TV apps.
Get Advice on Foxtel iQ4 or iQ5 Setups on the Northern Beaches
Not sure whether your Foxtel iQ4 or iQ5 already covers what you need? If you’re on the Northern Beaches or North Shore, get in touch through the contact page or send a message before you spend money on a TV upgrade you might not need.