Apple TV HD vs. Apple TV 4K Buyer’s Guide

Design, measurements, and weight
Assistance for SDR
HDMI port
Ethernet port
Infrared receiver
HDMI-CEC, AirPlay, and Bluetooth
Second-generation Siri Remote

In April 2021, Apple revealed the second-generation Apple TV 4K, bringing high framerate HDR with Dolby Vision to the Apple TV for the very first time and the A12 chip for enhanced performance, together with an upgraded Siri Remote. The Apple TV HD was very first released in 2015 and has remained in Apples lineup ever since as an entry-level choice, and now it includes the updated Siri Remote.
Should you consider acquiring the Apple TELEVISION HD to save money, or do you need the Apple TV 4K? Our guide addresses the concern of how to decide which of these two Apple TELEVISION set-top boxes is finest for you.
Comparing the Apple TV HD and the Apple TV 4K
The Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K share the same design and a number of fundamental functions such as HDMI and the upgraded Siri Remote:
Resemblances

There are a big number of significant distinctions in between the Apple TV HD and Apple TELEVISION 4K that are worth highlighting, including their supported processors and resolutions.
Differences

Apple TELEVISION HD

* to be confirmed.

Wireless Connectivity.
The Apple TELEVISION HD features Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.0, however the Apple TELEVISION 4K raises these specifications to the more recent Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. The Apple TELEVISION 4K likewise supports the Thread open requirement, like the HomePod mini, for enhanced integration into smart home setups.
Siri Remote.
Along with the second-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple introduced an entirely revamped Siri Remote. With a thicker, one-piece aluminum style, the new Siri Remote fits more comfortably in a users hand.
The new Siri Remote features a clickpad control that offers five-way navigation for much better precision and is also touch-enabled for fast directional swipes. The external ring of the clickpad supports an user-friendly circular gesture that turns it into a jog control.
The brand-new Siri Remote also has a power button that controls a TVs power straight, and another for mute. The Siri button has also been moved to the side of the remote for convenience.
Although the new Siri Remote was presented with the second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K, Apple includes it with both of the present Apple TELEVISION 4K and Apple TELEVISION HD models, so users need not select one design over the other to get the much better remote.
Last Thoughts.
The majority of clients ought to buy the Apple TV 4K. There is only a $30 price difference in between the Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TV 4K. Even for consumers for whom the Apple TV HD would be sufficient, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TV 4K is exceptional worth and worth it in practically all scenarios due to the plethora of small however substantial upgrades it has across the board.

Continue reading for a better take a look at each of these aspects, and see just what both of the offered Apple TV designs have to use.
Video.
The primary difference between the Apple TELEVISION HD and the Apple TV 4K is the resolutions that they support. The Apple TV HD supports resolutions up to Full HD at 1080p, while the Apple TV 4K supports resolutions approximately Ultra HD at 2160p.
Both designs support basic dynamic range, but only the Apple TV 4K supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, for richer colors and much deeper blacks. The Apple TELEVISION 4K also supports high framerate HDR approximately 60-fps. High frame rate HDR video enables fast-moving action at 60 frames per second to play more efficiently and appear more realistic.
With high frame rate assistance in AirPlay, videos shot on the iPhone 12 Pro can be displayed in complete 60-fps Dolby Vision on the Apple TELEVISION 4K. Apple is likewise working with video companies worldwide, including FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TELEVISION, and Canal+, as they start to stream in high frame rate HDR.
In order to maximize the Apple TV 4Ks better video abilities, you will need to have an accompanying 4K TELEVISION with HDR. The video specifications of the Apple TELEVISION HD are sufficient for the majority of older or lower-cost TVs, however for the best possible visual experience using technologies like 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, the Apple TV 4K is the much better choice, offering you have a relevant TELEVISION.
Audio.
The Apple TELEVISION 4K also features more recent audio specs with assistance for audio output with 7.1.4 channel surround sound with Dolby Atmos. The Apple TV HD, on the other hand, only supports audio output approximately 7.1 channel surround sound.
Similar to the differing video requirements of the 2 Apple TELEVISION designs, the extent to which you can benefit from the various audio specs depends upon your proprietary hardware. Fundamental house movie theater setups will work well with the Apple TV HD, however for more innovative audio setups with Dolby Atmos, the Apple TV 4K is the better option.
A8 vs. A12.
The second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K includes the A12 Bionic chip. The A12 Bionic chip powered the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in 2018, as well as the 2019 versions of the iPad Air and iPad Mini, and the 2020 entry-level iPad.
The A8 chip is considerably older and was first presented with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014. The A12 is a 2.49 GHz hexa-core chip and is considerably more powerful than the A8, which is a 1.5 GHz dual-core chip.
While processing power is not an absolute priority with a set-top box, the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks more current A12 chip will be far more capable than the A8. Whether it comes to playing games, app launch speeds, or merely general responsiveness, the A12 is likely to be a lot more stylish.
The Apple TELEVISION HD likewise sets the A8 with 2GB of memory, while the Apple TELEVISION 4K likely pairs the A12 with 3GB of memory.
Through progressive updates to tvOS, the A12 will ensure better performance in time, and the Apple TV 4Ks A12 will be much more future-proof than the A8 in the Apple TV HD.
Storage.
While there was initially a 64GB storage setup for the Apple TELEVISION HD, there is now just a 32GB alternative readily available. The Apple TELEVISION 4K is offered in both 32GB and 64GB configurations.
If you intend on downloading a great deal of applications or storing great deals of content on the Apple TELEVISION itself, then the Apple TV 4K with 64GB of storage will be the best option.
As the majority of media content on the Apple TELEVISION is streamed and not kept on the device itself, the quantity of storage will not be particularly crucial to many buyers.
Connectivity.
Wired Connectivity.
The Apple TELEVISION 4K includes the most recent variation of HDMI with version 2.1, while the Apple TELEVISION HD utilizes the much older HDMI 1.4. HDMI 2.1 facilitates numerous of the Apple TV 4Ks included video capabilities like high-framerate HDR.
The Apple TV 4K also has a gigabit ethernet port, which is able to reach much quicker speeds than the Apple TELEVISION HDs 10/100 ethernet port.

Even if you can not take benefit of the Apple TV 4Ks much better video and audio abilities, you will get a much faster processor, more RAM, and much faster connectivity. Users with an HD TV and a fundamental audio set-up might upgrade their devices in the future, in which case the Apple TELEVISION 4K would be able to stay and make usage of any upgraded hardware.
Because the second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K is a 2021 model, it is six years more recent than 2015s Apple TELEVISION HD and will be much more lasting, specifically due to its faster processor and included memory.
The only people who ought to consider the Apple TELEVISION HD are people on a stringent budget, those without any intention of upgrading their setups, and those without any interest in innovations like Ultra-HD 4K, HDR, or Dolby Atmos.
For standard HD, SDR TVs and fundamental audio setups, the Apple TV 4K is significantly restricted by the video and audio specifications of the hardware linked to it. The Apple TELEVISION HD may likewise appear to be an excellent option for existing Apple TV users aiming to buy an additional Apple TV for another room for activities such as Apple Fitness+.

Assistance for approximately 1080p resolution
Support for SDR
Assistance for audio output with 7.1 channels
HDMI 1.4
1.5 GHz dual-core Apple A8 chip
2GB RAM
32GB storage only
10/100 Ethernet
Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth 4.0
$ 149.

Supports for up to 2160p (4K) resolution.
Assistance for SDR, HDR10, and Dolby Vision.
High framerate HDR as much as 60-fps.
Assistance for audio output with 7.1.4 channels with Dolby Atmos.
HDMI 2.1.
2.49 GHz hexa-core Apple A12 Bionic chip.
3GB RAM *.
32GB or 64GB storage.
Gigabit Ethernet.
Wi-Fi 6.
Bluetooth 5.0.
Thread support.
$ 179 for 32GB model, $199 for 64GB design.

Both models support basic vibrant variety, however just the Apple TELEVISION 4K supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, for richer colors and deeper blacks. The Apple TV 4K likewise supports high framerate HDR up to 60-fps. Most clients should purchase the Apple TV 4K. There is only a $30 price distinction between the Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TV 4K. Even for clients for whom the Apple TELEVISION HD would be appropriate, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TELEVISION 4K is exceptional value and worth it in practically all situations due to the huge selection of small however substantial upgrades it has throughout the board.

Apple TELEVISION 4K (Second-Generation).