Compared with the Streaming Stick+, apps do load noticeably quicker on the Ultra, but you’re still saving only a second or two in almost every case.
Since the shortcut buttons are labeled only 1 and 2 on the remote, most people won’t know what the buttons do until they try them the shortcuts can’t do complex tasks, but they are easy to reprogram. The shortcut buttons allow the device to learn your voice commands, so “Open Amazon” or “Listen to Radiohead,” for example, causes the appropriate apps and radio stations to start, but that functionality seems useful for only one person.
In addition, it supports AV1, an improved streaming codec that services will use in the future to offer improved image quality. It also has a private-listening mode on the remote, along with Ethernet, MicroSD, and USB connections to make it the most flexible Roku streamer available, but it’s overkill for most people. The 2020 Roku Ultra is the first Roku device to support Dolby Vision and offers improved Wi-Fi support.
