The Apple TV might not be the most obvious Apple device to consider upgrading – but with a string of minor upgrades over the past few years, when should you consider buying a new one?
In terms of its set-top box offerings, Apple now only sells the “Apple TV” 4K (third generation). The company launched its first modern “Apple TV” in 2015 running tvOS, the “Apple TV” HD. Since then it has released three new versions, each adding several new features and improvements over its predecessor, with some models offering more significant upgrades than others.
With a lower starting price of $129 and just one model year to choose from, new Apple TV buyers aren’t faced with the same conundrum they were in years past, when Apple offered multiple Apple TVs of different generations. Still, first-time Apple TV customers may be able to purchase an older model second-hand or from a third party, so it’s important to carefully consider what’s added with each new model.
In the detailed breakdown below you will find all the new features, changes and improvements added to each Apple TV model compared to its direct predecessor:
Apple TV HD (2015)
- Apple A8 chip (1.5 GHz, 2-core)
- 2GB memory
- Active cooling with internal fan
- “tv” logo
- height of 1.4 inches
- Weight of 425 grams
- Support for up to 1080p resolution
- Support for SDR
- Support for audio output with 7.1 surround sound channels
- HDMI 1.4 port
- 10/100 Ethernet port
- wifi 5
- Bluetooth 4.0
- 32GB or 64GB storage
- Includes first-generation Siri Remote
Apple TV 4K (first generation, 2017)
- A10X Fusion chip (2.38GHz, 6-core)
- 3 GB memory, 50 percent more
- Support for up to 2160p (4K) resolution.
- Support for SDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision
- Support for audio output with 7.1.4 surround sound channels with Dolby Atmos
- HDMI 2.0a port
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- Includes first generation “Siri” remote control (white ring around the menu button).
Apple TV 4K (second generation, 2021)
- A12 Bionic chip (2.49 GHz, 6-core)
- Support for HDR content with high frame rate up to 60 fps
- ARC and eARC support
- HDMI 2.1 port
- wifi 6
- Bluetooth 5.0
- thread support
- Siri second generation remote (Lightning charging port) included, with all-new design and circular clickpad
Apple TV 4K (Third Generation, 2022)
- A15 Bionic chip (3.23 GHz, 6-core), 50 percent faster CPU performance and 30 percent faster GPU performance
- 4GB of storage, 33 percent more
- Passive cooling with fanless design
- The “” logo replaces the “tv” logo
- height of 1.2 inches
- Weight of 208/214 grams, 50 percent reduction
- Support for HDR10+
- Gigabit Ethernet port available on 128GB model only
- Thread support only available with 128GB model
- 64GB or 128GB of storage
- Siri second generation remote (USB-C charging port) included
Unlike many other Apple devices, “Apple TV” offers many specific technical features that not all users can enjoy as they rely on the specs of other connected hardware such as TVs and speakers. Therefore, this should be the main criterion by which you determine whether you need to upgrade to a new “Apple TV”.
In other words, if you don’t see features like high framerate content, improved HDMI connector specs, more advanced HDR formats, and thread support as worthy upgrades, it’s unlikely that a new model is worth buying. Avid home theater enthusiasts, audiophiles, and gamers who can take advantage of features like Dolby Atmos support, Gigabit Ethernet, and ARC and eARC support will benefit more from an upgrade.
If you don’t have a 4K HDR TV, chances are you won’t gain much by upgrading to the latest model, but it can still be worth it if you can benefit from better performance and more storage. If you have the first-gen “Apple TV” 4K, it’s only worth upgrading if you want features like high framerate HDR, thread support, and more power for gaming.
Unless you specifically want HDR10+ support or 128GB of storage, there’s little reason to upgrade from second-gen Apple TV 4K to third-gen Apple TV 4K.
It’s important to note that the latest version of the “Siri” remote, the second-generation model with a USB-C charging port, is available separately from Apple for $59. It works with all of the above “Apple TV” models, so the “Siri” remote shouldn’t be a major factor in your decision to upgrade.
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