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 exposed the second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K, bringing high framerate HDR with Dolby Vision to the Apple TV for the first time and the A12 chip for enhanced performance, along with an upgraded Siri Remote. The Apple TV HD was very first launched in 2015 and has remained in Apples lineup since then as an entry-level choice, and now it features the upgraded Siri Remote.
Should you think about acquiring the Apple TV HD to conserve 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 TELEVISION HD and the Apple TV 4K
The Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TELEVISION 4K share the same style and a variety of standard functions such as HDMI and the upgraded Siri Remote:
Similarities

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

Apple TV HD

Wireless Connectivity.
The Apple TELEVISION HD includes Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.0, however the Apple TV 4K raises these specs to the more recent Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. The Apple TELEVISION 4K also supports the Thread open standard, like the HomePod mini, for improved integration into smart home setups.
Siri Remote.
Together with the second-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple introduced a totally revamped Siri Remote. With a thicker, one-piece aluminum style, the new Siri Remote fits more easily in a users hand.
The brand-new Siri Remote includes a clickpad control that offers five-way navigation for much better accuracy and is also 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 new Siri Remote also has a power button that controls a TVs power straight, and another for mute. The Siri button has likewise been moved to the side of the remote for convenience.
The brand-new Siri Remote was introduced with the second-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple includes it with both of the present Apple TELEVISION 4K and Apple TV HD designs, so users need not choose one design over the other to get the better remote.
Final Thoughts.
Most clients must buy the Apple TV 4K. There is just a $30 price distinction between the Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TV 4K. Even for customers for whom the Apple TELEVISION HD would be adequate, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TV 4K is excellent value and worth it in nearly all situations due to the plethora of significant but little upgrades it has across the board.

Even if you can not make the most of the Apple TV 4Ks much better video and audio abilities, you will get a quicker processor, more RAM, and faster connectivity. Similarly, users with an HD TELEVISION and a standard audio set-up might upgrade their gadgets in the future, in which case the Apple TELEVISION 4K would have the ability to remain and make usage of any updated hardware.
Given that the second-generation Apple TV 4K is a 2021 model, it is 6 years more recent than 2015s Apple TELEVISION HD and will be much more lasting, especially due to its faster processor and included memory.
The only people who should consider the Apple TELEVISION HD are individuals on a stringent spending plan, those without any intention of updating their setups, and those without any interest in technologies like Ultra-HD 4K, HDR, or Dolby Atmos.
For basic HD, SDR TVs and fundamental audio setups, the Apple TELEVISION 4K is significantly limited by the video and audio specs of the hardware connected to it. The Apple TELEVISION HD might likewise seem an excellent alternative for existing Apple TELEVISION users wanting to purchase an extra Apple TV for another space for activities such as Apple Fitness+.

Supports for as much as 2160p (4K) resolution.
Support 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 assistance.
$ 179 for 32GB model, $199 for 64GB model.

Both models support standard vibrant variety, but just the Apple TELEVISION 4K supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, for richer colors and deeper blacks. The Apple TV 4K also supports high framerate HDR up to 60-fps. Many customers must purchase the Apple TELEVISION 4K. There is just a $30 cost difference 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 nearly all scenarios due to the variety of significant but small upgrades it has across the board.

Read on for a better take a look at each of these aspects, and see what precisely both of the available Apple TELEVISION designs need to offer.
Video.
The main difference between the Apple TELEVISION HD and the Apple TELEVISION 4K is the resolutions that they support. The Apple TV HD supports resolutions approximately Full HD at 1080p, while the Apple TELEVISION 4K supports resolutions as much as Ultra HD at 2160p.
Both models support standard dynamic variety, however only the Apple TELEVISION 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 allows fast-moving action at 60 frames per 2nd to play more efficiently and appear more realistic.
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 TELEVISION 4K. Apple is likewise dealing with video suppliers worldwide, consisting of FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TELEVISION, and Canal+, as they start to stream in high frame rate HDR.
In order to make the most of the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks much better video abilities, you will require to have an accompanying 4K TV with HDR. The video specifications of the Apple TV HD are sufficient for the majority of older or lower-cost TVs, but for the best possible visual experience using innovations like 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, the Apple TELEVISION 4K is the much better choice, offering you have a relevant TV.
Audio.
The Apple TV 4K likewise includes more current audio specifications with support 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 up to 7.1 channel surround sound.
Similar to the differing video specifications of the two Apple TV models, the extent to which you can take benefit of the different audio requirements depends upon your proprietary hardware. Basic home cinema setups will work well with the Apple TV HD, however for more advanced audio setups with Dolby Atmos, the Apple TV 4K is the much better choice.
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 significantly 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 considerably more effective than the A8, which is a 1.5 GHz dual-core chip.
While processing power is not an absolute top priority with a set-top box, the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks more recent A12 chip will be far more capable than the A8. Whether it comes to playing games, app launch speeds, or simply basic responsiveness, the A12 is likely to be a lot more snappy.
The Apple TELEVISION HD also sets the A8 with 2GB of memory, while the Apple TV 4K likely sets the A12 with 3GB of memory.
Through progressive updates to tvOS, the A12 will ensure much better performance with time, and the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks A12 will be much more future-proof than the A8 in the Apple TELEVISION HD.
Storage.
While there was originally a 64GB storage configuration for the Apple TV HD, there is now only a 32GB option readily available. The Apple TELEVISION 4K is available in both 32GB and 64GB configurations.
If you prepare on downloading a big number 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 finest choice.
As many media content on the Apple TELEVISION is streamed and not saved on the gadget itself, the amount of storage will not be particularly essential to many buyers.
Connectivity.
Wired Connectivity.
The Apple TELEVISION 4K includes the most recent variation of HDMI with version 2.1, while the Apple TV HD utilizes the much older HDMI 1.4. HDMI 2.1 helps with numerous of the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks added video abilities like high-framerate HDR.
The Apple TV 4K likewise has a gigabit ethernet port, which is able to reach much faster speeds than the Apple TV HDs 10/100 ethernet port.

Apple TV 4K (Second-Generation).

Assistance for as much as 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 just
10/100 Ethernet
Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth 4.0
$ 149.

* to be confirmed.