Apple TV (2nd generation) vs Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)

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TV (2nd generation) compared with TV 4K (3rd generation)

	AppleTV (2nd generation)	AppleTV 4K (3rd generation)
Overview
Released
Released	September 2010	November 2022
Video and audio
Resolution
Resolution	720p	4K (better)
HDR
HDR	None	Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG (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	SDR video with AVC/HEVC (Main/Main 10 profile) up to 2160p, 60 fps; HDMI Quick Media Switching (QMS); 21:9 and other cinematic aspect ratios on compatible projectors and displays
HDR
HDR	–	Dolby Vision (Profile 5) up to 2160p, 60 fps; HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG with HEVC (Main 10 profile) up to 2160p, 60 fps
Audio
Audio	HE-AAC (V1), AAC, protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 pass-through	Dolby Atmos; AC-3 (Dolby Digital 5.1) and E-AC-3 (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1); Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, AAC, HE-AAC and MP3; ARC or eARC over HDMI
Performance
Software
Software	Apple TV Software	tvOS
Storage
Storage	–	64 GB
Chip details
Chip details	Apple A4 chip; Apple does not publish its clock speed on the model's spec sheet	A15 Bionic
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	64GB (Wi-Fi model) or 128GB (Wi-Fi + Ethernet model)
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 6
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 2.1 (up to 4K 60 fps HDR output, ARC or eARC, QMS); Gigabit Ethernet (Wi-Fi + Ethernet model only); IR receiver
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	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.0
Smart home
Smart home	–	Home hub; Thread networking on the Wi-Fi + Ethernet model only, for HomeKit or Matter Thread accessories
Remote
Remote	Included seven-button aluminium Apple Remote using infrared; Apple's iOS Remote app also supported control over the network	Siri Remote (3rd generation) with touch-enabled clickpad, microphone for Siri, Bluetooth 5.0 and IR transmitter; controls the TV or receiver by IR or CEC; rechargeable over USB-C; 136 × 35 × 9.25 mm, 66 g
Design
Type
Type	Box	Box
Power
Power	Built-in 6 W universal power supply	Built-in power supply; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz
Size
Size	98 × 98 × 23 mm (W × D × H); 0.6 lb, varying with configuration and manufacturing	31 × 93 × 93 mm (H × W × D); 208 g (Wi-Fi model), 214 g (Wi-Fi + Ethernet model)
In the box
In the box	Apple TV, aluminium Apple Remote, power cord and documentation; HDMI cable sold separately	Apple TV 4K, Siri Remote, power lead, documentation (HDMI cable sold separately)