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Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) · Photo source
TV 4K (2nd generation)
Apple's 2021 streaming box with the A12 Bionic chip and high frame rate Dolby Vision, replaced by the A15 model in 2022.
Model history · 6 models, 2007–2021
- 2007TV (1st generation)Compare
- 2010TV (2nd generation)Compare
- 2012TV (3rd generation)Compare
- 2015TV HDCompare
- 2017TV 4K (1st generation)Compare
- 2021TV 4K (2nd generation)
- Type
- Box
- Resolution
- 4K
- HDR
- Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
- Software
- tvOS
What reviewers say
Reviewers agree it is an excellent streamer, with a fantastic picture, a wide choice of apps, a slick interface and a much improved Siri Remote. The common complaint is the price next to cheap streaming sticks; What Hi-Fi? and Trusted Reviews found it a minor upgrade on the previous model, and PCMag noted it steers you towards Apple's own TV app.
From pcmag.com, whathifi.com, techradar.com and trustedreviews.com
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specVideo and audio
- Resolution
- 4K
- HDR
- Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG
- Dolby Atmos
- Yes
- Video
- H.264/HEVC SDR video up to 2160p, 60 fps, Main/Main 10 profile
- HDR
- HEVC Dolby Vision (Profile 5), HDR10 (Main 10 profile) and HLG up to 2160p, 60 fps
- Audio
- 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
- tvOS
- Storage
- 32 GB
- Chip details
- A12 Bionic with 64-bit architecture
- Memory
- 3 GB LPDDR4 (iFixit teardown)
- Storage
- 32GB or 64GB
Connections
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6
- Ethernet
- Yes
- Smart home hub
- Yes
- Voice remote
- Yes
- Ports
- HDMI 2.1 (up to 4K 60 fps HDR output, ARC or eARC); Gigabit Ethernet; IR receiver
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with MIMO, simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz); Bluetooth 5.0
- Smart home
- Home hub; Thread, for HomeKit or Matter Thread accessories
- Remote
- 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
- Box
- Power
- Built-in power supply
- Size
- 35 × 98 × 98 mm (H × W × D); 425 g
- In the box
- Apple TV 4K, Siri Remote, power cord, Lightning to USB cable, documentation
Pros and cons
Pros
- Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG at up to 4K and 60 fps
- Gigabit Ethernet and Thread on every model; works as a home hub
- Colour balance feature uses an iPhone's light sensor to tune the picture
Cons
- No HDR10+
- Siri Remote charges over Lightning rather than USB-C
- No HDMI cable in the box
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Resolution | HDR | Software | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box | 4K | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Roku OS | May 2021 | |
| Box | 4K | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Fire OS | Oct 2022 | |
| Box | 4K | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | tvOS | Nov 2022 |
Previous model: TV 4K (1st generation). Newer model: TV 4K (3rd generation).
Sources
- support.apple.com/en-gb/111922
- apple.com/uk/newsroom/2021/04/apple-unveils-the-next-generation-of-apple-tv-4k
- apple.com/uk/newsroom/2021/05/imac-ipad-pro-and-apple-tv-4k-in-stores-friday
- ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple+TV+4K+2021+Teardown/142845
Photo: store.storeimages.cdn-apple.com
- Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and Siri Remote beside a television showing Palmer and the Apple TV interface: Official Apple product photograph of the named Apple TV configuration; complete supplied canvas and background preserved.
- Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and Siri Remote beside a television showing Apple Music: Official Apple product photograph of the named Apple TV configuration; complete supplied canvas and background preserved.
- Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and Siri Remote beside a television showing Apple Fitness+: Official Apple product photograph of the named Apple TV configuration; complete supplied canvas and background preserved.
- Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and Siri Remote beside a television showing Apple Arcade: Official Apple product photograph of the named Apple TV configuration; complete supplied canvas and background preserved.
- Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) beside Siri Remote (2nd generation), in the complete Apple Support photograph: Official Apple product photograph of the named Apple TV configuration; complete supplied canvas and background preserved.
- Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and Siri Remote in the supplied landscape composition with iMac and iPad Pro: Official Apple product photograph of the named Apple TV configuration with iMac and iPad Pro; complete supplied canvas and background preserved.
- Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and Siri Remote in the supplied portrait composition with iMac and iPad Pro: Official Apple product photograph of the named Apple TV configuration with iMac and iPad Pro; complete supplied canvas and background preserved.
- Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and Siri Remote beside a television showing Palmer, in the supplied May 2021 composition: Official Apple product photograph of the named Apple TV configuration; complete supplied canvas and background preserved.
