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Full Details on Every Generation of the Apple TV

A simple guide to comparing Apple TV models

By Sam Costello Sam Costello Writer Ithaca College Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 25, 2021 Reviewed by Jessica Kormos Reviewed by Jessica Kormos Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section Apple TV Comparison Chart Which Model Should You Buy? Extra: Compare With Other Streaming Options Most models of the Apple TV look confusingly similar: they're pocket-sized devices that resemble extra-large, square hockey pucks. Sure, the Apple TV 4K is about twice as tall as the third-generation model, but that's a pretty subtle difference. The relatively similar outsides actually conceal a lot of difference. The things that separate the 2nd and 5th generation Apple TV models, for instance, are huge. The newest model — the Apple TV 4K, which is the 5th generation — has a number of obvious differences and is a revolutionary improvement over earlier Apple TV models. On the other hand, a quick glance at the chart below may cause the 2nd and 3rd generation models to appear identical. Lifewire/Bailey Mariner This chart helps you understand how the models are different by comparing the features, benefits, and specifications of each Apple TV generation. The easy-to-read and compare chart is designed to help you understand how the Apple TV has evolved over the years and to make the right purchase. All About the 4th Generation Apple TV

Apple TV Comparison Chart

Apple TV 4K 4th Gen.
Apple TV 3rd Gen.
Apple TV 2nd Gen.
Apple TV 1st Gen.
Apple TV Model Number A1842 A1625 A1427
A1469 A1378 A1218 Processor Apple A10
Fusion 1.4 Ghz
Apple A8 Apple A5 Apple A4 1 GHz
Intel
Crofton
Pentium
M Video Storage up to
32GB
64GB up to
32GB
64GB N/A N/A 40GB
160GB Music Storage up to
32GB
64GB up to
32GB
64GB N/A N/A 40GB
160GB Photo Storage up to
32GB
64GB up to
32GB
64GB N/A N/A 40GB
160GB App Store Yes Yes No No No Games Yes Yes No No No Siri Yes Yes No No No Universal Voice
Search Yes Yes No No No Bluetooth 5.0 4.0 Yes Yes No Supported
Audio & Video Formats H.264 up
to 2160p,
Dolby
Vision,
AAC,
MPEG-4,
MP3 H.264 up
to 1080p,
AAC,
MPEG-4,
MP3 H.264 up
to 1080p,
AAC,
MPEG-4,
MP3 H.264 up
to 720p,
AAC,
MPEG-4,
MP3 H.264,
AAC,
MPEG-4 Dolby 5.1 Yes Yes Yes Yes No Dolby 7.1 Yes Yes No No No Dolby Atmos Yes No No No No Netflix
Streaming Yes Yes Yes Yes No Max.
HDTV
Format 4K 1080p 1080p 720p 720p HDR10 Yes No No No No Interfaces HDMI 2.0,
Ethernet,
IR Receiver HDMI,
Ethernet,
IR Receiver HDMI,
Ethernet,
Optical
Audio,
IR Receiver HDMI,
Ethernet,
Optical
Audio,
IR Receiver HDMI,
Component
A/V,
Optical
Audio,
Analog
Audio,
Ethernet,
IR Receiver Networking Gigabit
Ethernet,
802.11
a/b/g/n/ac
Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth 5.0 10/100
Base-T
Ethernet,
802.11
a/b/g/n/ac
Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth 4.0 10/100
Base-T
Ethernet,
802.11
a/b/g/n
Wi-Fi 10/100
Base-T
Ethernet,
802.11
a/b/g/n
Wi-Fi 10/100
Base-T
Ethernet,
802.11
b/g/n
Wi-Fi USB No USB-C Micro-USB Micro-USB USB 2.0 HomeKit Hub Yes Yes Yes No No Remote Control Siri Remote
(touchpad
& mic);
black Siri Remote
(touchpad
& mic);
black Apple
Remote;
aluminum Apple
Remote;
aluminum Apple
Remote;
white Remote Can
Control TV Yes Yes No No No Use Apple Watch
as Remote Yes Yes Yes Yes No Weight** 0.94 0.94 0.6 0.6 2.4 Size* 3.9 x
3.9 x
1.4 3.9 x
3.9 x
1.3 3.9 x
3.9 x
0.9 3.9 x
3.9 x
0.9 7.7 x
7.7 x
1.1 Price US$179
$199 US$149
$199 $99 $99 $329
$229 * in inches
** in pounds

Which Apple TV Model Should You Buy

So, after all this, which Apple TV generation should you buy? For almost all people, the answer is the Apple TV 4K. It's the latest model, offers the most advanced features, should maintain compatibility with other home theater hardware and video technology the longest. The 4th gen. model is a little cheaper, but not much. Saving $20 or $30 for a lesser product really isn't worth it. Buy the best device you can and you'll be happy with it the longest. Both 1st generation models, the 2nd generation, and 3rd generation Apple TV are no longer available from Apple, but they can still be found used. While they were good models when they debuted, we no longer recommend them, as they don't support the most recent technologies. What to Buy When You Buy an Apple TV

Comparing Apple TV to Other Streaming Options

The Apple TV isn't the only device that plugs into your TV and lets you stream video, play games, and more. In addition to comparing Apple TV models, you should also compare the Apple TV with Google Chromecast and Roku. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Can You Install Apps on the Apple TV? Is an Apple TV Worth It? How to Get HBO Max on Apple TV How to Set and Use Apple TV Parental Controls Is Your iPad Obsolete and Outdated? How to Update to the Latest the Apple TV Operating System How to Set up and Connect Apple TV How to Charge an Apple Pencil (Any Generation) Apple TV 6th Generation: Price, Release Date, and News How to Fix It When Apple Pencil Isn't Working How to Pair an Apple TV Remote What Is Apple TV? How Does It Work? The History of the iPod Touch What Is the iPad Air and How Does it Compare? How to Turn Down the Volume on Apple TV How to Change Language on Apple TV Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies