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

In April 2021, Apple exposed 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, alongside a redesigned Siri Remote. The Apple TV HD was very first launched in 2015 and has remained in Apples lineup given that then as an entry-level choice, and now it comes with the updated Siri Remote.
Should you consider purchasing the Apple TV HD to conserve cash, or do you require the Apple TV 4K? Our guide responds to the question of how to choose which of these two Apple TV set-top boxes is best for you.
Comparing the Apple TELEVISION HD and the Apple TELEVISION 4K
The Apple TV HD and Apple TELEVISION 4K share the same style and a number of standard functions such as HDMI and the revamped Siri Remote:
Similarities

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

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

Apple TELEVISION HD

Wireless Connectivity.
The Apple TV HD features Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.0, but the Apple TV 4K raises these specifications to the more current Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. The Apple TV 4K also supports the Thread open requirement, like the HomePod mini, for enhanced combination into smart home setups.
Siri Remote.
Together with the second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K, Apple presented a totally upgraded Siri Remote. With a thicker, one-piece aluminum style, the brand-new Siri Remote fits more easily in a users hand.
The brand-new Siri Remote features a clickpad control that offers five-way navigation for much better precision and is likewise touch-enabled for fast directional swipes. The outer 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 directly, and another for mute. The Siri button has likewise been relocated to the side of the remote for convenience.
Although the brand-new Siri Remote was introduced with the second-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple includes it with both of the existing Apple TELEVISION 4K and Apple TELEVISION HD models, so users need pass by one design over the other to get the better remote.
Final Thoughts.
Most consumers should purchase the Apple TELEVISION 4K. There is just a $30 rate distinction in between the Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TV 4K. Even for customers for whom the Apple TV HD would be adequate, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TV 4K is excellent value and worth it in practically all scenarios due to the plethora of considerable but little upgrades it has throughout the board.

* to be verified.

Support for approximately 1080p resolution
Assistance 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.

Both models support basic vibrant range, however just the Apple TV 4K supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, for richer colors and deeper blacks. The Apple TELEVISION 4K also supports high framerate HDR up to 60-fps. The majority of consumers must buy the Apple TELEVISION 4K. There is just a $30 cost distinction in between the Apple TV HD and Apple TELEVISION 4K. Even for clients for whom the Apple TV HD would be appropriate, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TV 4K is outstanding worth and worth it in nearly all circumstances due to the plethora of substantial however small upgrades it has across the board.

Even if you can not make the most of the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks much better video and audio capabilities, you will get a faster processor, more RAM, and faster connection. Similarly, users with an HD TELEVISION and a standard audio set-up may upgrade their gadgets in the future, in which case the Apple TV 4K would be able to remain and make usage of any updated hardware.
Given that the second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K is a 2021 design, it is six years more recent than 2015s Apple TV HD and will be much more long-lasting, particularly due to its faster processor and added memory.
The only individuals who should consider the Apple TV HD are individuals on a stringent spending plan, those with no objective of upgrading their setups, and those with no interest in innovations like Ultra-HD 4K, HDR, or Dolby Atmos.
For standard HD, SDR TVs and fundamental audio setups, the Apple TELEVISION 4K is greatly limited by the video and audio specs of the hardware linked to it. The Apple TV HD may likewise appear to be a great alternative for existing Apple TV users looking to buy an additional Apple TV for another room for activities such as Apple Fitness+.

Check out on for a closer look at each of these aspects, and see exactly what both of the available Apple TELEVISION models have to offer.
Video.
The main difference between the Apple TV 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 TV 4K supports resolutions up to Ultra HD at 2160p.
Both designs support standard vibrant range, however 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 approximately 60-fps. High frame rate HDR video allows fast-moving action at 60 frames per second to play more efficiently and appear more natural.
With high frame rate assistance in AirPlay, videos shot on the iPhone 12 Pro can be shown completely 60-fps Dolby Vision on the Apple TV 4K. Apple is also working with video companies all over the world, consisting of FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TELEVISION, and Canal+, as they begin to stream in high frame rate HDR.
In order to take advantage of the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks better video abilities, you will need to have an accompanying 4K TELEVISION with HDR. The video specifications of the Apple TELEVISION HD are adequate for many older or lower-cost TVs, however for the best possible visual experience utilizing technologies like 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, the Apple TELEVISION 4K is the better option, providing you have an appropriate TV.
Audio.
The Apple TV 4K also features more recent audio requirements with assistance for audio output with 7.1.4 channel surround noise with Dolby Atmos. The Apple TV HD, on the other hand, just supports audio output up to 7.1 channel surround noise.
Much like the differing video specs of the two Apple TV models, the level to which you can make the most of the various audio requirements depends upon your exclusive hardware. Fundamental home cinema setups will work well with the Apple TELEVISION HD, however for advanced audio setups with Dolby Atmos, the Apple TELEVISION 4K is the much better alternative.
A8 vs. A12.
The second-generation Apple TV 4K includes the A12 Bionic chip. The A12 Bionic chip powered the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in 2018, along with the 2019 variations of the iPad Air and iPad Mini, and the 2020 entry-level iPad.
The A8 chip is substantially older and was initially introduced with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014. The A12 is a 2.49 GHz hexa-core chip and is significantly 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 TV 4Ks more current A12 chip will be a lot more capable than the A8. Whether it concerns playing video games, app launch speeds, or simply basic responsiveness, the A12 is likely to be much more snappy.
The Apple TV HD likewise pairs the A8 with 2GB of memory, while the Apple TELEVISION 4K most likely sets the A12 with 3GB of memory.
Through progressive updates to tvOS, the A12 will ensure much better efficiency gradually, and the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks A12 will be a lot more future-proof than the A8 in the Apple TV HD.
Storage.
While there was originally a 64GB storage configuration for the Apple TV HD, there is now just a 32GB choice readily available. The Apple TV 4K is offered in both 32GB and 64GB setups.
If you prepare on downloading a great deal of applications or storing great deals of content on the Apple TV itself, then the Apple TELEVISION 4K with 64GB of storage will be the best choice.
As a lot of media content on the Apple TELEVISION is streamed and not kept on the device itself, the amount of storage will not be especially essential to many buyers.
Connectivity.
Wired Connectivity.
The Apple TV 4K features the most recent version of HDMI with variation 2.1, while the Apple TV HD uses the much older HDMI 1.4. HDMI 2.1 helps with much of the Apple TV 4Ks added video capabilities like high-framerate HDR.
The Apple TELEVISION 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.

Apple TV 4K (Second-Generation).

Supports for up to 2160p (4K) resolution.
Assistance for SDR, HDR10, and Dolby Vision.
High framerate HDR up to 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 model, $199 for 64GB model.