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

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

Design, dimensions, 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 TELEVISION for the very first time and the A12 chip for improved performance, along with a redesigned Siri Remote. The Apple TELEVISION HD was very first launched in 2015 and has actually stayed in Apples lineup because then as an entry-level choice, and now it features the upgraded Siri Remote.
Should you think about buying the Apple TELEVISION HD to save cash, or do you require the Apple TELEVISION 4K? Our guide responds to the concern 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 TV 4K
The Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TELEVISION 4K share the very same design and a number of fundamental features such as HDMI and the upgraded Siri Remote:
Resemblances

Apple TV HD

* to be confirmed.

Assistance for approximately 1080p resolution
Assistance for SDR
Support 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.

Apple TELEVISION 4K (Second-Generation).

Wireless Connectivity.
The Apple TELEVISION HD features Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.0, but the Apple TV 4K raises these specs to the more recent Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. The Apple TV 4K likewise supports the Thread open standard, like the HomePod mini, for enhanced combination into clever home setups.
Siri Remote.
Alongside the second-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple presented an entirely redesigned Siri Remote. With a thicker, one-piece aluminum design, the brand-new Siri Remote fits more conveniently in a users hand.
The new Siri Remote features a clickpad control that offers five-way navigation for much better accuracy and is also touch-enabled for quick directional swipes. The external ring of the clickpad supports an instinctive circular gesture that turns it into a jog control.
The new Siri Remote also has a power button that manages a TELEVISIONs power directly, and another for mute. The Siri button has actually likewise been transferred to the side of the remote for benefit.
Although the brand-new Siri Remote was presented with the second-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple includes it with both of the present Apple TV 4K and Apple TELEVISION HD models, so users require pass by one model over the other to get the better remote.
Last Thoughts.
The majority of customers should buy the Apple TV 4K. There is just a $30 cost difference in between the Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TELEVISION 4K. Even for consumers for whom the Apple TELEVISION HD would be appropriate, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TELEVISION 4K is excellent value and worth it in nearly all circumstances due to the variety of substantial but small upgrades it has throughout the board.

Even if you can not take benefit of the Apple TV 4Ks much better video and audio capabilities, you will receive a faster processor, more RAM, and faster connection. Users with an HD TV and a fundamental audio set-up may update their devices in the future, in which case the Apple TELEVISION 4K would be able to remain and make use of any upgraded hardware.
Given that the second-generation Apple TV 4K is a 2021 design, it is six years more recent than 2015s Apple TV HD and will be a lot more long-lasting, especially due to its faster processor and added memory.
The only people who ought to consider the Apple TV HD are people on a strict budget, those with no objective of upgrading their setups, and those with no interest in technologies like Ultra-HD 4K, HDR, or Dolby Atmos.
For basic HD, SDR TVs and basic audio setups, the Apple TV 4K is considerably restricted by the video and audio specifications of the hardware connected to it. The Apple TELEVISION HD might also seem a great option for existing Apple TV users seeking to purchase an additional Apple TELEVISION for another room for activities such as Apple Fitness+.

Both models support basic vibrant range, however just the Apple TELEVISION 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. A lot of customers need to purchase the Apple TV 4K. There is only a $30 rate distinction between the Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K. Even for consumers 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 circumstances due to the wide variety of little but significant upgrades it has across the board.

Supports for up to 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 assistance.
$ 179 for 32GB model, $199 for 64GB model.

Continue reading for a closer look at each of these aspects, and see what exactly both of the offered Apple TV designs have to provide.
Video.
The main distinction 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 vibrant range, but only the Apple TV 4K supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, for richer colors and deeper blacks. The Apple TV 4K likewise supports high framerate HDR as much as 60-fps. High frame rate HDR video makes it possible for fast-moving action at 60 frames per second to play more efficiently and appear more lifelike.
With high frame rate assistance 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 dealing with video service providers worldwide, consisting of FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TV, and Canal+, as they begin to stream in high frame rate HDR.
In order to take advantage of the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks much better video capabilities, you will require to have an accompanying 4K TV with HDR. The video specifications of the Apple TELEVISION HD are enough for the majority of older or lower-cost TVs, however for the very best possible visual experience using technologies like 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, the Apple TELEVISION 4K is the better choice, offering you have a relevant TELEVISION.
Audio.
The Apple TV 4K likewise features more current audio specifications with support 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 as much as 7.1 channel surround noise.
Just like the varying video specs of the 2 Apple TELEVISION models, the level to which you can take advantage of the various audio requirements depends on your proprietary 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 option.
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, in addition to the 2019 variations of the iPad Air and iPad Mini, and the 2020 entry-level iPad.
The A8 chip is significantly 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 noticeably more powerful than the A8, which is a 1.5 GHz dual-core chip.
While processing power is not an outright top priority with a set-top box, the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks more current A12 chip will be far more capable than the A8. Whether it pertains to playing games, app launch speeds, or simply general responsiveness, the A12 is likely to be much more snappy.
The Apple TV HD also sets 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 TV 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 TELEVISION HD, there is now just a 32GB option available. The Apple TELEVISION 4K is offered in both 32GB and 64GB setups.
If you intend on downloading a great deal of applications or keeping great deals of material on the Apple TELEVISION itself, then the Apple TELEVISION 4K with 64GB of storage will be the finest option.
As most media material on the Apple TELEVISION is streamed and not stored on the gadget itself, the amount of storage will not be especially essential to a lot of buyers.
Connection.
Wired Connectivity.
The Apple TV 4K features the most recent variation of HDMI with version 2.1, while the Apple TV HD uses the much older HDMI 1.4. HDMI 2.1 facilitates much of the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks included video abilities like high-framerate HDR.
The Apple TELEVISION 4K also has a gigabit ethernet port, which is able to reach much quicker speeds than the Apple TELEVISION HDs 10/100 ethernet port.