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

Design, dimensions, and weight
Support 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 very first time and the A12 chip for better efficiency, along with a revamped Siri Remote. The Apple TV HD was very first released in 2015 and has actually stayed in Apples lineup given that then as an entry-level option, and now it comes with the updated Siri Remote.
Should you consider buying the Apple TELEVISION HD to conserve money, or do you require the Apple TV 4K? Our guide responds to 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 TELEVISION 4K
The Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K share the very same style and a number of basic functions such as HDMI and the upgraded Siri Remote:
Similarities

There are a large number of significant differences in between the Apple TV HD and Apple TELEVISION 4K that are worth highlighting, including their supported processors and resolutions.
Differences

Apple TV HD

Apple TV 4K (Second-Generation).

Support for up to 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.

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 current Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. The Apple TELEVISION 4K also supports the Thread open requirement, like the HomePod mini, for enhanced integration into wise house setups.
Siri Remote.
Along with the second-generation Apple TELEVISION 4K, Apple presented a totally upgraded Siri Remote. With a thicker, one-piece aluminum design, the new Siri Remote fits more easily in a users hand.
The new Siri Remote features a clickpad control that uses five-way navigation for better accuracy and is also 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 brand-new Siri Remote also has a power button that controls a TVs power directly, and another for mute. The Siri button has also been moved 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 existing Apple TV 4K and Apple TELEVISION HD models, so users require not choose one model over the other to get the much better remote.
Last Thoughts.
The majority of customers should purchase the Apple TELEVISION 4K. There is just a $30 rate difference in between the Apple TV HD and Apple TELEVISION 4K. Even for consumers for whom the Apple TV HD would be adequate, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TV 4K is excellent value and worth it in nearly all scenarios due to the plethora of significant but small upgrades it has across the board.

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

Even if you can not make the most of the Apple TV 4Ks better video and audio abilities, you will receive a faster processor, more RAM, and quicker connectivity. Also, users with an HD TV and a standard audio set-up may update their gadgets in the future, in which case the Apple TV 4K would have the ability to make and stay usage of any updated hardware.
Considering that the second-generation Apple TV 4K is a 2021 design, it is six years more recent than 2015s Apple TELEVISION HD and will be much more lasting, especially due to its faster processor and added memory.
The only people who should consider the Apple TV HD are people on a strict spending plan, those with no intent of upgrading their setups, and those without any interest in innovations like Ultra-HD 4K, HDR, or Dolby Atmos.
For basic HD, SDR TVs and standard audio setups, the Apple TELEVISION 4K is greatly limited by the video and audio specifications of the hardware linked to it. The Apple TV HD might also appear to be an excellent alternative for existing Apple TELEVISION users aiming to buy an extra Apple TELEVISION for another space for activities such as Apple Fitness+.

Continue reading for a better look at each of these aspects, and see what precisely both of the offered Apple TELEVISION designs need to use.
Video.
The main difference between the Apple TV HD and the Apple TV 4K is the resolutions that they support. The Apple TELEVISION HD supports resolutions up to Full HD at 1080p, while the Apple TELEVISION 4K supports resolutions as much as Ultra HD at 2160p.
Both models support basic dynamic range, but only the Apple TV 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. High frame rate HDR video enables fast-moving action at 60 frames per 2nd to play more efficiently and appear more natural.
With high frame rate support in AirPlay, videos shot on the iPhone 12 Pro can be displayed completely 60-fps Dolby Vision on the Apple TELEVISION 4K. Apple is also 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 maximize the Apple TV 4Ks better video abilities, you will need to have an accompanying 4K TV with HDR. The video specs of the Apple TELEVISION HD suffice for most older or lower-cost TVs, but for the finest possible visual experience using innovations like 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, the Apple TV 4K is the better option, providing you have a pertinent TV.
Audio.
The Apple TELEVISION 4K also features 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 noise.
Similar to the differing video specs of the 2 Apple TV models, the level to which you can take advantage of the various audio specifications depends upon your proprietary hardware. Basic home cinema setups will work well with the Apple TV HD, however 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 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 considerably more effective 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 much more capable than the A8. Whether it concerns playing video games, app launch speeds, or simply general responsiveness, the A12 is likely to be a lot more stylish.
The Apple TV HD also 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 performance with time, and the Apple TV 4Ks A12 will be a lot more future-proof than the A8 in the Apple TV HD.
Storage.
While there was initially a 64GB storage setup for the Apple TV HD, there is now just a 32GB alternative available. The Apple TELEVISION 4K is available in both 32GB and 64GB setups.
If you intend on downloading a great deal of applications or storing lots of content on the Apple TV itself, then the Apple TELEVISION 4K with 64GB of storage will be the very best option.
As a lot of media material on the Apple TV is streamed and not kept on the gadget itself, the amount of storage will not be particularly crucial to most buyers.
Connection.
Wired Connectivity.
The Apple TV 4K features the most current variation of HDMI with version 2.1, while the Apple TELEVISION HD uses the much older HDMI 1.4. HDMI 2.1 assists in a number of the Apple TELEVISION 4Ks included video capabilities like high-framerate HDR.
The Apple TV 4K likewise has a gigabit ethernet port, which has the ability to reach much faster speeds than the Apple TV HDs 10/100 ethernet port.

* to be verified.

Both models support standard dynamic range, 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 up to 60-fps. Most clients ought to buy the Apple TELEVISION 4K. There is only a $30 rate difference between the Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K. Even for consumers for whom the Apple TV HD would be sufficient, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TELEVISION 4K is exceptional value and worth it in practically all scenarios due to the wide variety of little but considerable upgrades it has across the board.