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

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

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

	AppleTV 4K (1st generation)	AppleTV 4K (2nd generation)
Overview
Released
Released	September 2017	May 2021
Video and audio
Resolution
Resolution	4K	4K
HDR
HDR	HDR10 and Dolby Vision	Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG (better)
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos	Yes	Yes
Video
Video	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	H.264/HEVC SDR video up to 2160p, 60 fps, Main/Main 10 profile
HDR
HDR	Dolby Vision and HDR10; requires a compatible HDR television and content	HEVC Dolby Vision (Profile 5), HDR10 (Main 10 profile) and HLG up to 2160p, 60 fps
Audio
Audio	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	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	tvOS	tvOS
Storage
Storage	–	32 GB
Chip details
Chip details	Apple A10X Fusion with 64-bit architecture	A12 Bionic with 64-bit architecture
Memory
Memory	–	3 GB LPDDR4 (iFixit teardown)
Storage
Storage	32 or 64 GB internal storage	32GB or 64GB
Connections
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)	Wi-Fi 6
Ethernet
Ethernet	Yes	Yes
Smart home hub
Smart home hub	Yes	Yes
Voice remote
Voice remote	Yes	Yes
Ports
Ports	HDMI 2.0a, Gigabit Ethernet and power inlet; HDMI cable sold separately; protected content requires HDCP	HDMI 2.1 (up to 4K 60 fps HDR output, ARC or eARC); Gigabit Ethernet; IR receiver
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO and simultaneous 2.4/5 GHz operation; Bluetooth 5.0; IR receiver; AirPlay from compatible Apple devices	802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with MIMO, simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz); Bluetooth 5.0
Smart home
Smart home	HomeKit home hub for remote access and automated accessory control	Home hub; Thread, for HomeKit or Matter Thread accessories
Remote
Remote	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	Siri Remote (2nd generation) with clickpad, microphone for Siri, Bluetooth 5.0 and IR transmitter; controls the TV or receiver by IR or CEC; rechargeable over Lightning; 136 × 35 × 9.25 mm, 63 g
Design
Type
Type	Box	Box
Power
Power	Built-in mains power supply; remote charges by USB computer connection or a separate power adapter	Built-in power supply
Size
Size	35 × 98 × 98 mm; 425 g	35 × 98 × 98 mm (H × W × D); 425 g
In the box
In the box	TV 4K, Siri Remote, power cord, Lightning-to-USB cable and documentation	Apple TV 4K, Siri Remote, power cord, Lightning to USB cable, documentation