Apple TV (3rd generation) vs Apple TV 4K (1st generation)

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TV (3rd generation) compared with TV 4K (1st generation)

	AppleTV (3rd generation)	AppleTV 4K (1st generation)
Overview
Released
Released	March 2012	September 2017
Video and audio
Resolution
Resolution	1080p	4K (better)
HDR
HDR	None	HDR10 and Dolby Vision (better)
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos	No	Yes
Video
Video	H.264 up to 1080p at 30 fps, High or Main Profile level 4.0 or lower, Baseline Profile level 3.0 or lower; 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 single-core A5; maker model numbers A1427 and A1469 (Rev A) are both third-generation Apple TVs	Apple A10X Fusion with 64-bit architecture
Memory
Memory	512 MB RAM (AppleInsider review); Apple does not publish RAM on the model's spec sheet	–
Storage
Storage	Streaming device with flash storage for caching rather than a synchronised local media library; maker does not publish its capacity. Home Sharing supported streaming from a Mac or PC running iTunes	32 or 64 GB internal storage
Software and services
Software and services	Legacy Apple TV Software, with built-in channels rather than a third-party App Store. Reviews describe services available in 2012–2017. 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, not external media playback	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. Bluetooth support for Apple Wireless Keyboard requires Apple TV Software 5.2 or later	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 aluminium Apple Remote using infrared; Apple's iOS Remote app also supported network control	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, Apple Remote, power cord and documentation; HDMI cable sold separately	TV 4K, Siri Remote, power cord, Lightning-to-USB cable and documentation