As both a tech enthusiast and avid media streamer, I get asked a lot – should I get the Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K? Which is better? To help you decide, let‘s take an in-depth look at how these two models compare.
Apple TV HD – Good Old Dependable 1080p
The Apple TV HD, originally called the 4th generation Apple TV, was first released back in 2015. Several years later, it‘s still being sold and is a competent media streamer in its own right.
Here are the key tech specs on the Apple TV HD:
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Resolution: 1080p Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
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Processor: Apple A8 chip
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RAM: 2GB
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Storage: 32GB or 64GB
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Ports: HDMI 1.4, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11ac
As you can see, the Apple TV HD tops out at good old fashioned Full HD 1080p resolution. This was considered the gold standard in HD video for many years, before being overtaken by 4K.
Don‘t underestimate 1080p though – it still looks fantastic on reasonably sized TVs. The human eye generally can‘t perceive individual pixels at normal viewing distances on TVs less than 50-inches.
So if you have a smaller TV in a bedroom or office, the Apple TV HD will provide a crisp detailed image and you may not even notice the lack of 4K resolution.
Gaming performance is also decent thanks to the A8 chip, if not on par with more powerful modern devices. Casual iOS games play smoothly, although more intensive titles may push the limits.
That said, there are some downsides to consider with the aging Apple TV HD:
No support for 4K or HDR – More on this shortly when we compare to the 4K model. But the lack of 4K does become noticeable on larger screen sizes.
Limited performance – The A8 chip is outdated, which can cause occasional lag or longer app loading times. Don‘t expect buttery smooth performance.
No cutting-edge features – It lacks more advanced capabilities like HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 6, and Thread smart home connectivity.
Still, if you find a good deal on the Apple TV HD, it provides a solid smart TV experience and seamless access to Apple content and services. Given its lower price point, it remains a popular option for casual users or secondary rooms.
Apple TV 4K – Bringing Your Video to the Next Level
Now onto the star of the show, the Apple TV 4K! As you can likely guess from the name, 4K resolution is the big headlining feature.
Here are the key specs on the latest generation Apple TV 4K:
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Resolution: 2160p 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
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Processor: Apple A15 Bionic chip
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RAM: 4GB
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Storage: 64GB or 128GB
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Ports: HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6
There‘s a lot more under the hood, but it all starts with support for 2160p 4K resolution. This provides 4x as many pixels as 1080p – 8.3 million versus just 2 million. All those extra pixels allow for much sharper image clarity.
According to Apple‘s technical whitepaper, the higher sampling density of Ultra HD 4K improves perceived sharpness for video applications.
And when you‘re streaming high quality 4K content from services like Netflix or Apple TV+, you‘ll immediately notice the difference compared to HD. Subtle details in scenes become clearer, text is crisper, and overall image quality is taken to the next level.
Of course, you need an equivalent 4K TV to take advantage. But with 4K TV prices having dropped significantly in recent years, 4K is now the standard for larger screen sizes.
To quantify the impact of 4K, industry research indicates perceived sharpness increases by 26% on a 65-inch TV and 46% on an 80-inch TV when bumping resolution from 1080p to 4K.
So while 4K may seem like just marketing hype, the hard numbers show it makes a big difference – especially as screen sizes continue to grow.
High Dynamic Range – Taking Video Quality to the Next Level
Resolution is just part of the equation. The Apple TV 4K also supports advanced High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology. This includes both Dolby Vision and the newer HDR10+ standard.
HDR allows for far greater brightness levels up to 4000 nits, compared to just 100 nits on standard dynamic range TVs. This creates stunning highlights in image details like sunlight glare.
Black levels also plunge deeper down to 0.0005 nits versus 0.5 nits on SDR TVs. This increases the overall contrast ratio significantly for inky shadows and vivid images.
HDR also provides a wider color gamut covering 80-85% of the human visual spectrum, versus just 35% in Rec. 709 SDR. So colors become richer and more lifelike.
When you add up 4K resolution with advanced HDR, today‘s premium video content can really shine on a compatible TV. It brings the experience closer than ever to watching films in mastering color-graded studio environments.
Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have extensive libraries of 4K HDR movies and shows to take advantage. And Apple has hundreds of titles available in 4K HDR on the iTunes store.
If you care about seeing content in the highest possible quality, the Apple TV 4K is the clear choice over the HD model.
Performance and Features – No Contest
Looking beyond just video formats, the Apple TV 4K simply blows away the older HD model when it comes to performance and features.
The A15 Bionic chip provides a 50% increase in CPU performance and 30% faster graphics according to Apple. This enables smooth lag-free navigation throughout tvOS, quickly launching apps, and improved gaming capabilities.
Storage options start at 64GB on the Apple TV 4K allowing you to download more games and apps, compared to just 32GB on the HD model.
You also get cutting-edge connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 for nearly 3x faster wireless networking and HDMI 2.1 for higher bandwidth up to 48Gbps. This future-proofs your setup for 8K video and higher frame rates down the road.
Gaming sees significant improvements with the much faster A15 chip. Smooth 60fps gameplay is now possible even on demanding titles like Crossy Road Castle and Sonic Racing.
And the Apple TV 4K now acts as a smart home hub with Thread support to connect devices like HomePod Minis. So you can control lights and accessories right from the TV.
There are many more small features I could mention, but the point is clear – the Apple TV 4K is far ahead in nearly every way over the aging HD model when it comes to performance and capabilities.
Apple TV Buyer‘s Guide – Which Should You Pick?
So which is better, Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K? Here is a quick buyer‘s guide to help you decide based on your needs:
Buy the Apple TV 4K if:
- You have a 4K TV, especially 55-inch or larger
- You want the highest quality streaming with 4K and HDR
- Lag-free performance and smooth gaming are important
- You care about future-proof technologies like HDMI 2.1
Buy the Apple TV HD if:
- You have a smaller 1080p TV under 50-inches
- You mostly stream HD content from services like Netflix
- You want basic functionality at the lowest price
- It‘s for a secondary room or office TV
I hope this detailed comparison helps explain the key differences between the Apple TV models. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to chat home theater.
