Is the Apple TV 4K 32GB (1st gen) still usable in 2026?

[lsquare]

I can get this for a very low price, and it does seem to support all of the features that I would want in a streamer in 2026.

The A10X is likely more than fast enough for YouTube, YouTube TV, Netflix, and Disney+? Can anyone here confirm this?

Does anyone know if all variants have Ethernet?

When used exclusively for streaming, what am I missing out compared to the third-generation Apple TV? I know it won't get the latest tvOS, but is that going to be a big issue?

Can I replace the existing Siri Remote with the third-generation remote?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Yeah I still have that vintage. I did buy the new remotes to replace the crap-tastic black remote that came with them.

They're fine; the biggest limitations don't have anything to do with streaming:
* Can't use it as a Home hub for HomeKit
* Perhaps not practical for gameplay with the old chip & low memory? Dunno, I don't play games.

 

[turbineseaplane]

All of mine are this model and it works wonderfully.

Even tvOS 26 is great on it.

It's criminal that Apple are dropping this model from tvOS27 support given it runs 26 just fine.

 

[priitv8]

It's criminal that Apple are dropping this model from tvOS27 support given it runs 26 just fine.

It has received software support for 9 years now.
Well above the industry average.

IMHO even Apple itself supports computers and iphones only for 7 years.
E.g. my 2019 iMac did not even get the macOS 26.

 

[lsquare]

Yeah I still have that vintage. I did buy the new remotes to replace the crap-tastic black remote that came with them.

They're fine; the biggest limitations don't have anything to do with streaming:
* Can't use it as a Home hub for HomeKit
* Perhaps not practical for gameplay with the old chip & low memory? Dunno, I don't play games.

Do all variants have an Ethernet port? With the third generation, Apple reserved the Ethernet port on the 128GB model.

So in terms of audio and video codec support and HDR, nothing has changed?

 

[lsquare]

All of mine are this model and it works wonderfully.

Even tvOS 26 is great on it.

It's criminal that Apple are dropping this model from tvOS27 support given it runs 26 just fine.

I agree. It's definitely criminal! I also hate how the 2018 iPad Pro is also being dropped! Planned obsolescence!

 

[Waughy]

Yeah I still have that vintage. I did buy the new remotes to replace the crap-tastic black remote that came with them.

They're fine; the biggest limitations don't have anything to do with streaming:
* Can't use it as a Home hub for HomeKit
* Perhaps not practical for gameplay with the old chip & low memory? Dunno, I don't play games.

I'm using mine as our home hub, no issues. Also upgraded to the newer remote, although the power button fell off a few months ago (well out of warranty, so no replacing it).

 

[Juicy Box]

Yeah I still have that vintage. I did buy the new remotes to replace the crap-tastic black remote that came with them.

Ironic. When buying the ATV4K2 and ATV4k3, bought the original Siri Remotes to replace the crap-tastic aluminum remotes that came when them. No one in my family likes the newer Siri Remotes.

To each their own.

 

[Juicy Box]

I can get this for a very low price, and it does seem to support all of the features that I would want in a streamer in 2026.

The 2015 ATV4 (HD) was overkill for a streaming box, and the A10X in the 2017 ATV4K1 blew every other streaming box out of the water in-terms of raw performance, including the Nvidia Shield which a lot of people considered the best non-Apple streaming device at the time.

You would be fine with a 2017 ATV4K1 as a streaming box today. I think there might be some little differences between the ATV4K1 and the two newer ones on specific apps, but more most things, they are identical.

All that said, it depends on the deal. If you can get a killer deal, go for it.

 

[priitv8]

So in terms of audio and video codec support and HDR, nothing has changed?

The 1st gen does not support YouTube HDR (i.e. the VP9).
I never saw the need to upgrade mine so I am still using my 1st gen, purchased in 2017.
But I think now the time has come to upgrade it, should a new version appear.

 

[gigatoaster]

It’s still usable. However I moved from 2nd to 3rd gen and in particular situation I don’t have lags anymore. One was streaming a REMUX file of 85GB and navigating in Infuse interface was lagging. Not anymore.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Do all variants have an Ethernet port? With the third generation, Apple reserved the Ethernet port on the 128GB model.

So in terms of audio and video codec support and HDR, nothing has changed?

Mine has Ethernet, though I just use WiFi. Don’t know about “all variants.”

It plays the stuff we want to play… I’ve never concerned myself with codecs or HDR.

 

[Icehawk]

This is the box I bought for my parents. It still runs as great as it did on day 1. Only thing currently they're missing is the Snoopy screensaver. They won't be sad to not have Super Siri when the next TV os comes out.

I need one, but I'm holding out for the new one. May even upgrade them. This isn't a product that's vastly changed over the 4K edition. More Apple going "Oh yeah. We haven't updated that in a couple years. uhhh. Throw a newer chip in it."

 

[lsquare]

Mine has Ethernet, though I just use WiFi. Don’t know about “all variants.”

It plays the stuff we want to play… I’ve never concerned myself with codecs or HDR.

It comes in both 32GB and 64GB models. Not sure if Ethernet is present on both or not.

 

[Waughy]

I'm using mine as our home hub, no issues. Also upgraded to the newer remote, although the power button fell off a few months ago (well out of warranty, so no replacing it).

Bit the bullet and bought a third gen through Amazon yesterday, who still had them at the old price. Wasn't going to, until I realised without TVOS27 I can't update to the new home app on my phone, and I'm also looking at adding some light globes, so would want thread support for them. I don't think the next model, whenever it sees the light of day, is going to have any extra features I'll want.

 

[ilikeavocados5893]

Every 2017 Apple TV 4K has an Ethernet port, the only two SKUs produced were 32GB and 64GB. The 2022 64GB Apple TV is the only model released without one.

It is also fully supported as a home hub, but doesn't have a Thread radio. If you have HomePods Minis, it can delegate Thread operations to them.