When IT teams choose between premium Apple TV hardware and cheaper Android sticks, the new Kitcast "State of Digital Signage 2026" report shows that Apple TV wins on reliability.

The study tracked 1,000 Apple TVs and 250 Android devices for 12 months, finding Apple TVs hit a median 12‑month uptime of 99%, while Android devices averaged 96%. 70% of Apple TVs stay above the 99% threshold, compared to only 12% of Android units.

Offline events and hardware failures also differ sharply. Android devices go offline an average of 15.2 times a year, whereas Apple TVs do so only 5.3 times. Replacement rates are 18% for Android and a mere 2% for Apple TV.

A seasoned IT manager notes that Android sticks often need daily reboots, but Apple TV’s zero‑touch deployment keeps them “always on.” Mosyle’s unified platform supports these deployments, and the report suggests that the higher upfront cost of Apple TV pays off with less maintenance.