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

[hagar]

I’m surprised Apple did not innovate the device when they released the new ATV. It’s just a spec bump so except for die hard ATV fans there aren’t reasons to upgrade.

Even more: I don’t see a lot of compelling reasons to own an ATV at this point. I consider the App Store to be a complete failure, the interface is boring and dated and many features are available in smart TV’s or much cheaper Android based devices.

I can’t imagine the ATV to be a huge selling machine given the high price point. But luckily Apple sees it differently.

I hope tvOS 15 brings something exciting to the table.

 

[GSWForever8]

Let’s make it easier. 2015 or 2021?
Personally I think the 4K is better because it’s newer and will last longer.

 

[PsykX]

Seriously, I don’t see why anyone should buy these things if you already own a high-end TV.

Maybe they should add Safari to tvOS. This will probably attract a lot of buyers.

I have one of the most high-end TVs from LG with the most advanced native smart TV OS by far, which is webOS.
Other operating systems from rivals really feel like these TV companies, well, are not operating system companies.

And even then. tvOS is just so much more user friendly than webOS, so much faster, and the apps, while the number is sadly diminishing day by day, are such a high quality. Being able to cross-develop for iOS, iPadOS and tvOS is really helping devs out there to craft the best apps.

 

[cr2]

I have a silly question.


Is there a way to use AirPods when you are watching something on Apple TV? I have a Samsung TV and I have not been able to connect AirPods to TV sound. BTW, I have a 3-4 year old Apple TV. I can get the new one if I can connect AirPods to it. In fact, if I can use homepod then I will get two, one for my bedroom. Is it easy to switch the sound from homepod to AirPods on an Apple TV?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Blowback]

Seriously, I don’t see why anyone should buy these things if you already own a high-end TV.

Maybe they should add Safari to tvOS. This will probably attract a lot of buyers.

Top of the line Samsung here...ATV is better and faster and easier to use. The software on most of these 'Smart' tvs is not far removed from bad 'shareware'. Also, the ATV has more options than what was manufactured into the 'Smart' tv at the time of production. And, as for a lot of us Apple users: Internet Privacy. After set-up I IMMEDIATELY disconnected the internet connection on the 'Smart' TV. Sure I'm not alone in this....

 

[Blowback]

I have a silly question.


Is there a way to use AirPods when you are watching something on Apple TV? I have a Samsung TV and I have not been able to connect AirPods to TV sound. BTW, I have a 3-4 year old Apple TV. I can get the new one if I can connect AirPods to it. In fact, if I can use homepod then I will get two, one for my bedroom. Is it easy to switch the sound from homepod to AirPods on an Apple TV?

Thanks in advance.

I have a Samsung QLED 80T and (older) ATV HD...I can use my AirPodsPro with both (through the ATV) and , depending on media type, use the Apple Spatial stereo through the APod Pros. I'm sure my ATV is as old or older than yours. Are you using the Pods thru Bluetooth? I can also run my Homepods (original) as a stereo pair through the ATV. Search the forum, I'm sure I've seen links detailing the correct set-up procedures.

 

[zorinlynx]

Not to mention a lot of the TVs have a slow and clunky OS. Not saying tvOS is perfect but it's better than what's on most smart TVs.

I know right? I'm starting to become convinced that anyone who would rather use a TV's built in OS than an Apple TV just hasn't used an Apple TV much.

I have a 2020 model Samsung TV. Its built in OS *SUCKS*. It's clunky and slow and laggy, and a far worse experience than my Apple TV 4K (the previous version) which is a few years old now.

 

[bacaramac]

One huge difference for me is the HD is fanless/sealed. So outside on my patio and bbq area, I don’t have to worry about dirt getting inside in wind storms, etc. Outside they are protected from water, but we get dust storms in AZ. That’s assuming they didn’t change that, only reason I keep HD model for outside.

 

[JSL1]

Just give me that new remote

Clickpad demo while you are waiting for your new Siri remote.
Source: Clickpad demo from Apple, scroll down slowly to see demo.

This is an excerpt from a detailed FAQ for the new Siri Remote (2nd generation) 2021 model on AVSforum.

 

[Ramrod82]

Pointless comparison. Compare Apple TV 4K to this not the other.

 

[steevn]

This article really highlights the question of why the HD version isn’t $50 instead of $150. Whether you like them or not, Google, Amazon and Roku offer products that are far cheaper (AND BETTER) than Apples 2015 device with a new remote….

 

[Rychiar]

My lgcx oled does just about everything I need from my Apple TV natively plus it’s snappy and I move the magic remote. Makes the atv feel dated . Up til I got this tv though every built in smart tv interface I used was slow and clunky

 

[sjsharksfan12]

Seriously, I don’t see why anyone should buy these things if you already own a high-end TV.

Maybe they should add Safari to tvOS. This will probably attract a lot of buyers.

I would like to see them add a browser to TVOS for one reason. If you are traveling and want to get onto like a Hotel WiFi, you can't do it on the ATV, like you can on the fire stick. That seems dumb to me.

 

[DocMultimedia]

Don’t buy any ATVs until they fix the massive syncing audio issues in the latest tvOS. Disaster.

 

[abhibeckert]

Let’s make it easier. 2015 or 2021?
Personally I think the 4K is better because it’s newer and will last longer.

Agreed - for $30 it's wroth getting the better model. But if you already own one, is it worth $179 to upgrade?

I don't think it is. In fact I recently checked and found a lot of the apps I use stream video at 720p... which is good enough that I can't even tell with a side by side comparison.

I tried playing the same content in 4K on my gaming PC and it's actually worse — some kind subtle stuttering no matter what resolution I play it at on Windows (4K or 720p... and it's much more powerful hardware than an Apple TV)

 

[budselectjr]

Unless they finally update it to do audio passthrough I will stick with Shield.

 

[okieoutwest]

New Siri remote with descriptive labels.
View attachment 1773393

This is an excerpt from a detailed FAQ for the new Siri Remote (2nd generation) 2021 model on AVSforum.

Thanks for this. I had hoped it would mention the remote being capable of changing Source for the TV, but alas. If the new remote did, I could put my OEM TV remote away for good!

 

[George Dawes]

I'm more excited about the new remote , I bought 4 one for each of my atvs , can't wait to throw that horrible old one in the trash asap

 

[frozen220]

In April 2021, Apple revealed the second-generation Apple TV 4K, bringing high framerate HDR with Dolby Vision to the Apple TV for the first time and the A12 chip for improved performance, alongside a redesigned Siri Remote. The Apple TV HD was first released in 2015 and has remained in Apple's lineup since then as an entry-level option, and now it comes with the upgraded Siri Remote.

Should you consider purchasing the Apple TV HD to save money, or do you need the Apple TV 4K? Our guide answers the question of how to decide which of these two 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 number of basic features such as HDMI and the redesigned Siri Remote:

Similarities

• Design, dimensions, and weight
• Support for SDR
• HDMI port
• Ethernet port
• Infrared receiver
• HDMI-CEC, AirPlay, and Bluetooth
• Second-generation Siri Remote

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

Differences


Apple TV HD

• Support for up to 1080p resolution
• Support 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 only
• 10/100 Ethernet
• Wi-Fi 5
• Bluetooth 4.0
• $149

Apple TV 4K (Second-Generation)

• Supports for up to 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 support
• $179 for 32GB model, $199 for 64GB model

*to be confirmed.



Read on for a closer look at each of these aspects, and see what exactly both of the available Apple TV models have to offer.

Video

The main difference between the Apple TV 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 up to Ultra HD at 2160p.

Both models support standard 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 second to play more smoothly and appear more lifelike.

With high frame rate support 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 also working with video providers around the world, including FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TV, and Canal+, as they begin to stream in high frame rate HDR.

In order to make the most of the Apple TV 4K's better video capabilities, you will need to have an accompanying 4K TV with HDR. The video specifications of the Apple TV HD are sufficient for most older or lower-cost TVs, but for the best possible visual experience using technologies like 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, the Apple TV 4K is the better option, providing you have a relevant TV.

Audio

The Apple TV 4K also features more recent 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.

Much like the differing video specifications of the two Apple TV models, the extent to which you can take advantage of the different audio specifications depends on your proprietary hardware. Basic home cinema setups will work well with the Apple TV HD, but for more advanced audio setups with Dolby Atmos, the Apple TV 4K is the 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 versions of the iPad Air and iPad Mini, and the 2020 entry-level iPad.

The A8 chip is considerably older and was first introduced with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014. The A12 is a 2.49 GHz hexa-core chip and is markedly 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 TV 4K's more recent A12 chip will be much more capable than the A8. Whether it comes to playing games, app launch speeds, or simply general responsiveness, the A12 is likely to be much more snappy.

The Apple TV HD also pairs the A8 with 2GB of memory, while the Apple TV 4K likely pairs the A12 with 3GB of memory.

Through progressive updates to tvOS, the A12 will guarantee better performance over time, and the Apple TV 4K's A12 will be much more future-proof than the A8 in the Apple TV HD.

Storage

While there was originally a 64GB storage configuration for the Apple TV HD, there is now only a 32GB option available. The Apple TV 4K is available in both 32GB and 64GB configurations.

If you plan on downloading a large number of applications or storing lots of content on the Apple TV itself, then the Apple TV 4K with 64GB of storage will be the best option.

As most media content on the Apple TV is streamed and not stored on the device itself, the amount of storage will not be particularly important to most buyers.

Connectivity

Wired Connectivity
The Apple TV 4K features the most recent version of HDMI with version 2.1, while the Apple TV HD uses the much older HDMI 1.4. HDMI 2.1 facilitates many of the Apple TV 4K's added video capabilities like high-framerate HDR.

The Apple TV 4K also has a gigabit ethernet port, which is able to reach much faster speeds than the Apple TV HD's 10/100 ethernet port.

Wireless Connectivity
The Apple TV HD features Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.0, but the Apple TV 4K raises these specifications to the more recent Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. The Apple TV 4K also supports the Thread open standard, like the HomePod mini, for improved integration into smart home setups.

Siri Remote

Alongside the second-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple introduced a completely redesigned Siri Remote. With a thicker, one-piece aluminum design, the new Siri Remote fits more comfortably in a user's hand.

The new Siri Remote features a clickpad control that offers five-way navigation for better accuracy and is also touch-enabled for fast directional swipes. The outer ring of the clickpad supports an intuitive circular gesture that turns it into a jog control.

The new Siri Remote also has a power button that controls a TV's power directly, and another for mute. The Siri button has also been relocated to the side of the remote for convenience.

Although the new Siri Remote was introduced with the second-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple includes it with both of the current Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models, so users need not choose one model over the other to get the better remote.

Final Thoughts

Most customers should buy the Apple TV 4K. There is only a $30 price difference between the Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K. Even for customers for whom the Apple TV HD would be adequate, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TV 4K is excellent value and worth it in almost all circumstances due to the plethora of small but significant upgrades it has across the board.

Even if you cannot take advantage of the Apple TV 4K's better video and audio capabilities, you will receive a faster processor, more RAM, and faster connectivity. Likewise, users with an HD TV and a basic audio set-up may upgrade their devices in the future, in which case the Apple TV 4K would be able to remain and make use of any upgraded hardware.

Since the second-generation Apple TV 4K is a 2021 model, it is six years newer than 2015's Apple TV HD and will be much more long-lasting, especially due to its faster processor and added memory.

The only people who should consider the Apple TV HD are individuals on a strict budget, those with no intention of upgrading their setups, and those with no interest in technologies like Ultra-HD 4K, HDR, or Dolby Atmos.

For standard HD, SDR TVs and basic audio setups, the Apple TV 4K is greatly limited by the video and audio specifications of the hardware connected to it. The Apple TV HD may also appear to be a good option for existing Apple TV users looking to buy an additional Apple TV for another room for activities such as Apple Fitness+.

Article Link: Apple TV HD vs. Apple TV 4K Buyer's Guide

Wow. All that to just say “buy the 4K, it’s only a $30 difference.” Must be a slow news day ?

 

[alchemistmuffin]

I would seriously wait on Apple TV till probably holidays if rumors of high end “Pro” version of Apple TV is coming with A14 (or even M1) processor for professionals that demand more (like high powergaming, 8K output, higher storage capacity) is true. Then it would make a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[MisterK]

What could Apple do to justify a higher price TV box? I feel like that's an interesting thought experiment. A cheaper USB stick to compete with the others might more practical, but it's not as fun to think about. The AppleTV is a terrible games console right now so what would they have to do to make it a good one? Open Apple Games Studio and make 1st party titles? Just make their own great games controller? Compete with who? Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo?

Maybe webcam connect capabilities? What else? Make some live network TV like channels on it (Apple Channel 1 and get exclusive LIVE sports/award shows/ news events)? More integrated home automation controls? Maybe more experimentation with internet connected TV (2 way comms) so home viewers can participate in game shows or non-linear choose your own adventure shows?

If Apple didn't want to go down the path of cheaper sticks and still wanted you to pay $300-$600 for a box, what would it have to do? What can the best dream TV machine do?

 

[trip1ex]

really they managed to churn out an article on this? anything to fill space and get clicks I guess. But it should just say buy the ATV 4k. The end.

 

[ericnxx]

Sorry for noob question but does the new Apple TV 4K support standard 4K 120hz (non-HDR/Dolby Vision)? Thanks in advance!

 

[ian87w]

why is the HD even for sale anymore... let alone at such an absurd price. im sure ya could buy the last 4k one for less than 150

It’s the Apple way. Have a cheaper baseline to attract customers, but gimp it as much as possible that people would just see the upper and more expensive model as the better buy. Result, people spending more money for Apple.

Apple’s track record: 16GB base storage iPhone, base M1 iMac with just 2 ports and no Touch ID keyboard, base iPad with old non-laminated screen design and no Bluetooth 5, Apple Watch series 3, this Apple TV HD, and so on.

Apple is the high tech luxury version of the upsize me strategy of the fast food industry.

 

[lk400]

This article could've been as short as "If you're considering the Apple TV HD... Don't. Just get the 4K model - last gen used if price is a major concern"

I think the HD is for people who don't have 4K TVs and who arent particularly interested in getting a new TV.