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

There are a great deal of meaningful differences between the Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TV 4K that are worth highlighting, including their supported resolutions and processors.
Differences

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

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

Apple TV HD

Support 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.

Apple TV 4K (Second-Generation).

Even if you can not make the most of the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks much better video and audio capabilities, you will receive a faster processor, more RAM, and much faster connectivity. Likewise, users with an HD TELEVISION and a basic audio set-up may update their devices in the future, in which case the Apple TV 4K would be able to remain and make use of any updated hardware.
Because the second-generation Apple TV 4K is a 2021 design, it is six years newer than 2015s Apple TELEVISION HD and will be much more long-lasting, especially due to its faster processor and included memory.
The only individuals who ought to think about the Apple TV HD are people on a strict spending plan, those without any objective of updating their setups, and those without any interest in innovations like Ultra-HD 4K, HDR, or Dolby Atmos.
For standard HD, SDR TVs and standard audio setups, the Apple TELEVISION 4K is considerably restricted by the video and audio specs of the hardware linked to it. The Apple TELEVISION HD might likewise appear to be an excellent alternative for existing Apple TELEVISION users wanting to purchase an additional Apple TV for another space for activities such as Apple Fitness+.

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Both designs support basic dynamic variety, however just the Apple TV 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. A lot of customers need to buy the Apple TELEVISION 4K. There is only a $30 cost distinction between the Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TELEVISION 4K. Even for consumers for whom the Apple TELEVISION HD would be adequate, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TV 4K is exceptional worth and worth it in almost all circumstances due to the huge selection of small however considerable upgrades it has throughout the board.

Continue reading for a more detailed take a look at each of these elements, and see what precisely both of the available Apple TV designs need to use.
Video.
The main difference between the Apple TELEVISION HD and the Apple TELEVISION 4K is the resolutions that they support. The Apple TELEVISION HD supports resolutions approximately Full HD at 1080p, while the Apple TELEVISION 4K supports resolutions approximately Ultra HD at 2160p.
Both designs support standard dynamic variety, but just the Apple TV 4K supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, for richer colors and much deeper blacks. The Apple TV 4K also supports high framerate HDR as much as 60-fps. High frame rate HDR video allows fast-moving action at 60 frames per second to play more efficiently and appear more realistic.
With high frame rate support in AirPlay, videos shot on the iPhone 12 Pro can be displayed in full 60-fps Dolby Vision on the Apple TV 4K. Apple is likewise working with video providers around the world, consisting of FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TV, and Canal+, as they start to stream in high frame rate HDR.
In order to take advantage of the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks better video abilities, you will require to have an accompanying 4K TV with HDR. The video specs of the Apple TV HD suffice for many older or lower-cost TVs, but for the very best possible visual experience utilizing technologies like 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, the Apple TV 4K is the better alternative, offering you have a pertinent TELEVISION.
Audio.
The Apple TV 4K likewise features more current audio specifications with assistance for audio output with 7.1.4 channel surround sound with Dolby Atmos. The Apple TV HD, on the other hand, just supports audio output approximately 7.1 channel surround noise.
Similar to the varying video specs of the two Apple TV designs, the extent to which you can benefit from the different audio requirements depends upon your exclusive hardware. Standard house cinema setups will work well with the Apple TELEVISION HD, but for advanced audio setups with Dolby Atmos, the Apple TV 4K is the much better option.
A8 vs. A12.
The second-generation Apple TV 4K features the A12 Bionic chip. The A12 Bionic chip powered the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in 2018, as well as the 2019 variations of the iPad Air and iPad Mini, and the 2020 entry-level iPad.
The A8 chip is substantially older and was first introduced 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 concern with a set-top box, the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks more current A12 chip will be a lot 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 snappy.
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 guarantee much better efficiency with 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 originally a 64GB storage setup for the Apple TV HD, there is now just a 32GB option offered. The Apple TV 4K is readily available in both 32GB and 64GB configurations.
If you prepare on downloading a large number of applications or saving great deals of content on the Apple TELEVISION itself, then the Apple TELEVISION 4K with 64GB of storage will be the very best alternative.
As many media content on the Apple TV is streamed and not saved on the device itself, the amount of storage will not be especially important to the majority of buyers.
Connection.
Wired Connectivity.
The Apple TELEVISION 4K includes the most recent variation of HDMI with variation 2.1, while the Apple TV HD uses the much older HDMI 1.4. HDMI 2.1 facilitates numerous of the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks added video abilities like high-framerate HDR.
The Apple TV 4K likewise has a gigabit ethernet port, which has the ability to reach much quicker speeds than the Apple TELEVISION HDs 10/100 ethernet port.

Supports for as much as 2160p (4K) resolution.
Assistance for SDR, HDR10, and Dolby Vision.
High framerate HDR as much as 60-fps.
Support 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 design, $199 for 64GB design.

Wireless Connectivity.
The Apple TV HD includes Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.0, however the Apple TELEVISION 4K raises these specs to the more recent Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. The Apple TELEVISION 4K likewise supports the Thread open standard, like the HomePod mini, for enhanced integration into clever house setups.
Siri Remote.
Together with the second-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple presented an entirely redesigned Siri Remote. With a thicker, one-piece aluminum design, the new Siri Remote fits more conveniently in a users hand.
The new Siri Remote features a clickpad control that uses five-way navigation for better precision and is likewise touch-enabled for fast directional swipes. The external ring of the clickpad supports an intuitive circular gesture that turns it into a jog control.
The new Siri Remote also has a power button that manages a TVs power straight, and another for mute. The Siri button has actually also been moved to the side of the remote for benefit.
The new Siri Remote was presented with the second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K, Apple includes it with both of the existing Apple TV 4K and Apple TELEVISION HD designs, so users need not select one design over the other to get the much better remote.
Final Thoughts.
The majority of consumers should purchase the Apple TELEVISION 4K. There is just a $30 cost difference between the Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K. Even for customers for whom the Apple TV HD would be sufficient, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TV 4K is exceptional value and worth it in practically all circumstances due to the variety of small however significant upgrades it has throughout the board.