Roku 3 (4200) vs Roku Ultra (4800)

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3 (4200) compared with Ultra (4800)

	Roku3 (4200)	RokuUltra (4800)
Overview
Released
Released	March 2013	October 2020
Video and audio
Resolution
Resolution	1080p	4K (better)
HDR
HDR	None	HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG (better)
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos	–	Yes
Video
Video	Up to 1080p HD (original Roku announcement); HDMI only, with no analogue A/V output	Up to 4K at 60 fps; Roku's model-4800 guide specifies an HDCP 2.2 HDMI connection for 4K
HDR
HDR	–	Roku's current Benjamin/4800X developer row lists HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG. An older model-4800 support document also claims HDR10+, which the developer row omits; HDR10+ is left out of the main field pending reconciliation
Audio
Audio	–	Dolby Atmos with compatible content and sound system; TechRadar lists AAC, MP3, WMA, FLAC, PCM, AC3/EAC3, DTS and ALAC support
Performance
Software
Software	Roku OS	Roku OS
Chip details
Chip details	Arm Cortex-A9 dual-core at 1 GHz; OpenGL ES 2.0 (Roku's exact Austin/4200X developer row)	Quad-core processor (Roku launch announcement); Roku's Benjamin/4800X developer row identifies Arm Cortex-A55
Memory
Memory	512 MB (Roku's exact Austin/4200X developer row)	2 GB (Roku's Benjamin/4800X developer row)
Storage
Storage	microSD expands channel/app storage; local media uses the USB port	–
Software and services
Software and services	Roku OS; apps and services vary by region and software version. Maker developer row lists release year 2014, conflicting with the original March 6, 2013 release announcement used here	Roku OS; OS 9.4 was announced alongside the player. AirPlay 2 and HomeKit were added after launch, as confirmed in Tom's Guide's review; apps and features vary by country and software version
Connections
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 4	Wi-Fi 5
Ethernet
Ethernet	Yes	Yes
Voice remote
Voice remote	No	Yes
Ports
Ports	HDMI, Ethernet, USB media playback, microSD channel-storage slot and power	HDMI, USB, Ethernet and power input (model-4800 Quick Start Guide); no microSD slot (both reviews)
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	Dual-band Wi-Fi (Roku launch release); 2.4/5 GHz confirmed by SmallNetBuilder. Original remote uses Wi-Fi Direct rather than Bluetooth	Dual-band 802.11ac (TechRadar); Bluetooth support and up to 50% greater wireless range than the prior model (Roku's launch claim)
Smart home
Smart home	–	Controllable through compatible Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant devices; AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support with updated software
Remote
Remote	Original enhanced motion remote with headphone socket and A/B game controls. Side volume buttons control headphones only; no microphone or television power controls. Distinct from the 2015 voice-remote bundle	Original voice remote has TV power, volume and mute, headphone jack, two personal shortcuts and lost-remote finder; two AA batteries. Later rechargeable-remote bundles are not separate player hardware here
Design
Type
Type	Box	Box
Power
Power	–	Supplied mains power adaptor
Size
Size	–	4.9 × 4.9 × 0.9 in (Tom's Guide)
In the box
In the box	Player, enhanced remote and in-ear headphones; HDMI cable not supplied (SmallNetBuilder)	Ultra player, voice remote, headphones, two AA batteries, Premium High Speed HDMI cable and power adaptor