Apple has unveiled an upgraded Apple TV 4K (2nd generation). Here is how it compares in terms of specifications and features to the older Apple TV boxes.
Changes in the 2021 version compared to the 2017 version are marked in orange.
Apple TV specifications
| Apple TV 4K (2021) | Apple TV 4K (2017) | Apple TV HD (2015) |
|---|
| Design | Box | Box | Box |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 3.5 x 9.8 x 9.8 cm | 3.5 x 9.8 x 9.8 cm | 3.5 x 9.8 x 9.8 cm |
| Weight | 425 g | 425 g | 425 g |
| Hardware | Apple TV 4K (2021) | Apple TV 4K (2017) | Apple TV HD (2015) |
| SoC | A12 Bionic | A10X | A8 |
| Technology node | 7nm | 10nm | 20nm |
| RAM | 3GB | 3GB | 2GB |
| Storage capacity | 32/64GB | 32/64GB | 32/64GB |
| Storage type | NVMe SSD | NVMe SSD | SSD |
| Video/audio | Apple TV 4K (2021) | Apple TV 4K (2017) | Apple TV HD (2015) |
| HDMI version | HDMI 2.1 | HDMI 2.0b | HDMI 1.4 |
| Video out | HDMI
Up to 4K60 DV | HDMI
Up to 4K60 DV | HDMI
Up to 1080p60 |
| Video decoding | 4K60 DV/HDR10
4K60 SDR | 4K30 DV/HDR10
4K60 SDR |
1080p60 SDR |
| Video codecs | HEVC
MPEG4
MPEG2 | HEVC
MPEG4
MPEG2 | HEVC
MPEG4
MPEG2 |
| HDR formats | HDR10
Dolby Vision | HDR10
Dolby Vision | - |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes | | |
| Audio out | HDMI
Bluetooth
WiFi (AirPlay 2)
WiFi (Home Theater) | HDMI
Bluetooth
WiFi (AirPlay 2)
WiFi (Home Theater) | HDMI
Bluetooth
WiFi (AirPlay 2) |
| Audio codecs | e-AC-3 (DD+)
AC-3 (DD)
FLAC
Apple Lossless
MP3
HE-AAC
AIFF
WAV | e-AC-3 (DD+)
AC-3 (DD)
FLAC
Apple Lossless
MP3
HE-AAC
AIFF
WAV | e-AC-3 (DD+)
AC-3 (DD)
FLAC
Apple Lossless
MP3
HE-AAC
AIFF
WAV |
| Dolby Atmos | Decoding
Output: HDMI (MAT 2.0) or WiFi (to HomePod) | Decoding
Output: HDMI (MAT 2.0) or WiFi (to HomePod) | - |
| | | |
| OS & features | Apple TV 4K (2021) | Apple TV 4K (2017) | Apple TV HD (2015) |
| OS (at launch) | tvOS 14.5 | tvOS 11 | tvOS 9 |
| OS (latest supported) | tvOS 14.5 | tvOS 14.5 | tvOS 14.5 |
| Match frame rate | | | |
| Match HDR/SDR | | | |
| Color Balance calibration | | | |
| AirPlay 2 | | | |
| HomeKit | | | |
| Siri | | | |
| | | |
| Connectivity | Apple TV 4K (2021) | Apple TV 4K (2017) | Apple TV HD (2015) |
| Remote control | Siri Remote 2021 | Siri Remote | Siri Remote |
| TV control | HDMI CEC + infrared | HDMI CEC + infrared | HDMI CEC + infrared |
| Ethernet | 1000 Mb/s | 1000 Mb/s | 100 Mb/s |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (ax)
WiFi Thread | WiFi 5 (ac) | WiFi 5 (ac) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Controller support | PS5/PS4
Xbox One/Series
MFI | PS5/PS4
Xbox One/Series
MFI | PS5/PS4
Xbox One/Series
MFI |
| | | |
| Services | Apple TV 4K (2021) | Apple TV 4K (2017) | Apple TV HD (2015) |
| Apple App Store | | | |
| Apple TV+ | | | |
| Apple Arcade | | | |
| Apple Music | | | |
| Apple Fitness+ | | | |
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