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

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 better efficiency, together with a redesigned Siri Remote. The Apple TV HD was very first released in 2015 and has actually remained in Apples lineup considering that then as an entry-level option, and now it includes the updated Siri Remote.
Should you think about acquiring the Apple TV HD to save money, or do you need the Apple TELEVISION 4K? Our guide answers the question of how to choose which of these 2 Apple TV set-top boxes is best 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 variety of standard functions such as HDMI and the redesigned Siri Remote:
Resemblances

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

Apple TELEVISION HD

Continue reading for a better look at each of these elements, and see what precisely both of the available Apple TV models have to provide.
Video.
The main distinction 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 TELEVISION 4K supports resolutions up to Ultra HD at 2160p.
Both models support basic dynamic variety, but just 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 up to 60-fps. High frame rate HDR video makes it possible for fast-moving action at 60 frames per second to play more smoothly and appear more natural.
With high frame rate support in AirPlay, videos shot on the iPhone 12 Pro can be shown in full 60-fps Dolby Vision on the Apple TV 4K. Apple is also dealing with video service providers worldwide, including FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TV, and Canal+, as they begin to stream in high frame rate HDR.
In order to maximize the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks much better video abilities, you will need to have an accompanying 4K TELEVISION with HDR. The video requirements of the Apple TELEVISION HD are sufficient for many older or lower-cost TVs, however for the best possible visual experience utilizing technologies like 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, the Apple TV 4K is the better alternative, supplying you have an appropriate TELEVISION.
Audio.
The Apple TELEVISION 4K likewise includes more recent audio requirements with support for audio output with 7.1.4 channel surround noise with Dolby Atmos. The Apple TV HD, on the other hand, only supports audio output up to 7.1 channel surround sound.
Much like the differing video specifications of the 2 Apple TELEVISION models, the level to which you can take benefit of the different audio specifications depends on your proprietary hardware. Basic house movie theater setups will work well with the Apple TV 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 TELEVISION 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 considerably older and was initially presented 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 priority with a set-top box, the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks more recent A12 chip will be a lot more capable than the A8. Whether it comes to playing video games, app launch speeds, or just general responsiveness, the A12 is most likely to be much more snappy.
The Apple TV HD likewise sets the A8 with 2GB of memory, while the Apple TV 4K most likely pairs the A12 with 3GB of memory.
Through progressive updates to tvOS, the A12 will guarantee better performance in time, and the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks A12 will be far 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 alternative offered. The Apple TELEVISION 4K is available in both 32GB and 64GB setups.
If you prepare on downloading a great deal of applications or keeping great deals of material on the Apple TV itself, then the Apple TELEVISION 4K with 64GB of storage will be the very best alternative.
As most media material on the Apple TELEVISION is streamed and not kept on the gadget itself, the quantity of storage will not be particularly important to most purchasers.
Connectivity.
Wired Connectivity.
The Apple TV 4K includes the most current version of HDMI with version 2.1, while the Apple TV HD uses the much older HDMI 1.4. HDMI 2.1 assists in much of the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks included video capabilities 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 TELEVISION HDs 10/100 ethernet port.

Support for up to 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.

Even if you can not take benefit of the Apple TV 4Ks better video and audio capabilities, you will get a much faster processor, more RAM, and much faster connectivity. Users with an HD TELEVISION and a fundamental audio set-up might 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.
Since the second-generation Apple TV 4K is a 2021 design, it is 6 years newer than 2015s Apple TV HD and will be far more long-lasting, particularly due to its faster processor and added memory.
The only people who should consider the Apple TELEVISION HD are people on a strict 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 standard HD, SDR TVs and standard audio setups, the Apple TV 4K is significantly limited by the video and audio requirements of the hardware linked to it. The Apple TV HD might likewise appear to be a great choice for existing Apple TELEVISION users aiming to buy an extra Apple TV for another room for activities such as Apple Fitness+.

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

Wireless Connectivity.
The Apple TV 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 likewise supports the Thread open requirement, like the HomePod mini, for improved combination into smart home setups.
Siri Remote.
Together with the second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K, Apple presented an entirely revamped Siri Remote. With a thicker, one-piece aluminum design, the new Siri Remote fits more comfortably in a users hand.
The new Siri Remote includes a clickpad control that offers five-way navigation for better accuracy and is likewise touch-enabled for quick directional swipes. The external ring of the clickpad supports an intuitive circular gesture that turns it into a jog control.
The new Siri Remote likewise has a power button that manages a TELEVISIONs power straight, and another for mute. The Siri button has also been moved to the side of the remote for convenience.
Although the brand-new Siri Remote was introduced with the second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K, Apple includes it with both of the current Apple TELEVISION 4K and Apple TV HD designs, so users require not select one design over the other to get the better remote.
Final Thoughts.
Most customers need to purchase the Apple TV 4K. There is only a $30 rate difference in between the Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TV 4K. Even for clients for whom the Apple TV HD would be sufficient, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TV 4K is exceptional worth and worth it in nearly all scenarios due to the variety of small however substantial upgrades it has throughout the board.

Both models support standard dynamic variety, 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 up to 60-fps. Most clients need to buy the Apple TV 4K. There is just a $30 cost distinction in between the Apple TELEVISION HD and Apple TELEVISION 4K. Even for customers 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 plethora of considerable but little upgrades it has across the board.

* to be confirmed.

Apple TELEVISION 4K (Second-Generation).