Apple TV (2nd generation) vs Apple TV 4K (1st generation)

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TV (2nd generation) compared with TV 4K (1st generation)

	AppleTV (2nd generation)	AppleTV 4K (1st generation)
Overview
Released
Released	September 2010	September 2017
Video and audio
Resolution
Resolution	720p	4K (better)
HDR
HDR	None	HDR10 and Dolby Vision (better)
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos	No	Yes
Video
Video	H.264 up to 720p at 30 fps, Main Profile level 3.1; MPEG-4 up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 × 480 at 30 fps; Motion JPEG up to 35 Mbps, 1280 × 720 at 30 fps. Protected content requires HDCP	H.264/HEVC SDR up to 2160p at 60 fps, Main/Main 10 profile; HEVC Dolby Vision Profile 5 and HDR10 Main 10 up to 2160p; HD and UHD TVs supported through HDMI
HDR
HDR	–	Dolby Vision and HDR10; requires a compatible HDR television and content
Audio
Audio	HE-AAC (V1), AAC, protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 pass-through	Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 and Dolby Atmos; Atmos support added with tvOS 12 after launch; AAC, HE-AAC v1, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF and WAV playback
Performance
Software
Software	Apple TV Software	tvOS
Chip details
Chip details	Apple A4 chip; Apple does not publish its clock speed on the model's spec sheet	Apple A10X Fusion with 64-bit architecture
Memory
Memory	256 MB RAM (iFixit teardown, from the A4 package marking)	–
Storage
Storage	8GB NAND flash (iFixit teardown); used for streaming cache rather than a user-accessible library. Home Sharing replaced the original model's synchronised local media	32 or 64 GB internal storage
Software and services
Software and services	Reviews describe historical services available at launch, including US-only Netflix and TV programme rentals. Netflix's current compatibility list requires Apple TV HD (4th generation) or later; this model is no longer supported	–
Connections
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	802.11a/b/g/n	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Ethernet
Ethernet	Yes	Yes
Smart home hub
Smart home hub	–	Yes
Voice remote
Voice remote	No	Yes
Ports
Ports	HDMI; optical audio; 10/100BASE-T Ethernet; IR receiver; Micro-USB for service and support	HDMI 2.0a, Gigabit Ethernet and power inlet; HDMI cable sold separately; protected content requires HDCP
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	802.11a/b/g/n; wireless video streaming requires 802.11a, g or n. The maker sheet does not list Bluetooth support, although iFixit identified a combined Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chipset	802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO and simultaneous 2.4/5 GHz operation; Bluetooth 5.0; IR receiver; AirPlay from compatible Apple devices
Smart home
Smart home	–	HomeKit home hub for remote access and automated accessory control
Remote
Remote	Included seven-button aluminium Apple Remote using infrared; Apple's iOS Remote app also supported control over the network	Siri Remote with touch surface, voice control, Bluetooth 4.0, IR transmitter, accelerometer and three-axis gyro; Lightning charging; 124 × 38 × 6.3 mm, 45 g; rechargeable battery rated for months of typical daily use
Design
Type
Type	Box	Box
Power
Power	Built-in 6 W universal power supply	Built-in mains power supply; remote charges by USB computer connection or a separate power adapter
Size
Size	98 × 98 × 23 mm (W × D × H); 0.6 lb, varying with configuration and manufacturing	35 × 98 × 98 mm; 425 g
In the box
In the box	Apple TV, aluminium Apple Remote, power cord and documentation; HDMI cable sold separately	TV 4K, Siri Remote, power cord, Lightning-to-USB cable and documentation