Apple has unveiled an upgraded Apple TV 4K (2nd generation). Here is how it compares in terms of specifications and features to the older Apple TV boxes.

Changes in the 2021 version compared to the 2017 version are marked in orange.

Apple TV specifications
Apple TV 4K (2021)
Apple TV 4K (2017)
Apple TV HD (2015)
 
 
Design
Box
Box
Box
Dimensions (HxWxD)
3.5 x 9.8 x 9.8 cm
3.5 x 9.8 x 9.8 cm
3.5 x 9.8 x 9.8 cm
Weight
425 g
425 g
425 g
 Hardware
Apple TV 4K (2021)
Apple TV 4K (2017)
Apple TV HD (2015)
SoC
A12 Bionic
A10X
A8
Technology node
7nm
10nm
20nm
 
RAM
3GB
3GB
2GB
Storage capacity
32/64GB
32/64GB
32/64GB
Storage type
NVMe SSD
NVMe SSD
SSD
 Video/audio
Apple TV 4K (2021)
Apple TV 4K (2017)
Apple TV HD (2015)
 
HDMI version
HDMI 2.1
HDMI 2.0b
HDMI 1.4
Video out
HDMI
Up to 4K60 DV
HDMI
Up to 4K60 DV
HDMI
Up to 1080p60
Video decoding
4K60 DV/HDR10
4K60 SDR
4K30 DV/HDR10
4K60 SDR

1080p60 SDR
Video codecs
HEVC
MPEG4
MPEG2
HEVC
MPEG4
MPEG2
HEVC
MPEG4
MPEG2
HDR formats
HDR10
Dolby Vision
HDR10
Dolby Vision
-
HDMI ARC/eARC
Yes
Audio out
HDMI
Bluetooth
WiFi (AirPlay 2)
WiFi (Home Theater)
HDMI
Bluetooth
WiFi (AirPlay 2)
WiFi (Home Theater)
HDMI
Bluetooth
WiFi (AirPlay 2)
Audio codecs
e-AC-3 (DD+)
AC-3 (DD)
FLAC
Apple Lossless
MP3
HE-AAC
AIFF
WAV
e-AC-3 (DD+)
AC-3 (DD)
FLAC
Apple Lossless
MP3
HE-AAC
AIFF
WAV
e-AC-3 (DD+)
AC-3 (DD)
FLAC
Apple Lossless
MP3
HE-AAC
AIFF
WAV
Dolby Atmos
Decoding
Output: HDMI (MAT 2.0) or WiFi (to HomePod)
Decoding
Output: HDMI (MAT 2.0) or WiFi (to HomePod)
-
 OS & features
Apple TV 4K (2021)
Apple TV 4K (2017)
Apple TV HD (2015)
 
OS (at launch)
tvOS 14.5
tvOS 11
tvOS 9
 
OS (latest supported)
tvOS 14.5
tvOS 14.5
tvOS 14.5
Match frame rate
Match HDR/SDR
Color Balance calibration
AirPlay 2
HomeKit
Siri
 Connectivity
Apple TV 4K (2021)
Apple TV 4K (2017)
Apple TV HD (2015)
Remote control
Siri Remote 2021
Siri Remote
Siri Remote
TV control
HDMI CEC + infrared
HDMI CEC + infrared
HDMI CEC + infrared
Ethernet
1000 Mb/s
1000 Mb/s
100 Mb/s
WiFi
WiFi 6 (ax)
WiFi Thread
WiFi 5 (ac)
WiFi 5 (ac)
Bluetooth
5.0
5.0
4.0
 
Controller support
PS5/PS4
Xbox One/Series
MFI
PS5/PS4
Xbox One/Series
MFI
PS5/PS4
Xbox One/Series
MFI
 Services
Apple TV 4K (2021)
Apple TV 4K (2017)
Apple TV HD (2015)
Apple App Store
Apple TV+
Apple Arcade
Apple Music
Apple Fitness+
 
 FlatpanelsHD
 Also read: 2019 Shield TV vs. 2015 Shield TV vs. 2017 Shield TV