Streaming devices / Compare
Apple TV 4K (2017) vs Apple TV HD (2015)
Product A: Apple
76 of 97 known
Change Apple TV 4K (2017)
Compare the Apple TV HD (2015) with
Product B: Apple
55 of 97 known
Change Apple TV HD (2015)
Compare the Apple TV 4K (2017) with
39 of 88 fields differ
- 19 different values
- 20 known for one only
- 32 the same
- 17 missing for both
Biggest differences
Each bar uses the scale of all 43 streaming devices.
- Built-in Ethernet speedA: 1,000MbpsB: 100MbpsTV 4K (2017) is 10 times higher.
- RAMA: 3GBB: 2GBTV 4K (2017) is 1 GB higher.
Size, drawn to scale
Front and side.
- ATV 4K (2017): 98 × 35 mm
- BTV HD (2015): 98 × 35 mm
Weight
0 to 500 g
Weight
A425g
B425g
Remote weight
A45g
B45g
All 97 fields
Every value links to where we found it.


General
3 of 8 differ
Series
Model numbers
A1842, MQD22, MP7P21Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/101605Read 7 October 2026First-generation Apple TV 4K section explicitly identifies A1842 and 32 GB or 64 GB capacities. Maker environmental report lists model prefixes MQD22 and MP7P2. No regional suffix is guessed.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)apple.com/environment/pdf/products/appletv/Apple_TV_4K_PER_sept2017.pdfRead 7 October 2026Report page 1 lists Models MQD22, MP7P2. Footnote 1 identifies the US reference MQD22. Actual hardware generation remains A1842.
GTIN / EAN
Not available
Not available
Announced
Status
Predecessor
Not available
Not available
Successor
Apple TV 4K (2021)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/101605Read 7 October 2026Official generation numbering identifies 2017 A1842 as first generation and 2021 A2169 as second generation. No sibling configuration is treated as successor.5Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/04/apple-unveils-the-next-generation-of-apple-tv-4kRead 7 October 2026Maker calls the A12-powered 2021 box the next generation of Apple TV 4K. Official identification names the 2017 model first generation and the 2021 model second generation. Referenced product exists.
Not available
Launch price (US)
$1793Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2017/09/apple-tv-4k-brings-home-the-magic-of-cinema-with-4k-and-hdrRead 7 October 2026Pricing and Availability explicitly states $179 (US) for 32 GB and $199 (US) for 64 GB. Base price is the canonical 32 GB US launch MSRP excluding tax. Variant rows retain both original prices.32Maker product pageapple.com/shop/help/paymentsRead 7 October 2026Apple US payment/pricing policy separately calculates state/local sales tax at checkout for shipping or pickup address. This corroborates pre-tax US launch-price treatment. The exact 2017 amount comes only from original producer release, not current policy pricing.
Launch price (EU)
Markets
US, DE3Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2017/09/apple-tv-4k-brings-home-the-magic-of-cinema-with-4k-and-hdrRead 7 October 2026Original US release identifies US prices, Apple retail and the September launch. Only directly proved US and German markets are listed.6Press releaseapple.com/de/newsroom/2017/09/apple-tv-4k-brings-home-the-magic-of-cinema-with-4k-and-hdrRead 7 October 2026Maker release explicitly offers both capacities through apple.com/de and German retail channels.
Colours
Form factor
Video output
7 of 11 differ
Max output resolution
3840 × 2160px7Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111929Read 7 October 2026First-generation product page supports 4K/2160p video and UHD TVs over HDMI. Maker format article defines its 4K resolution as 3840 x 2160.11Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/119599Read 7 October 2026Maker format article explicitly defines 4K video as 3840 x 2160. Review also tests that exact frame size.
Max output refresh rate
Video output modes
AApple TV 4K (2017)
| Width (px) | Height (px) | Refresh rate (Hz) | HDR format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3840 | 2160 | 60 | SDR |
| 3840 | 2160 | 60 | HDR10 |
| 3840 | 2160 | 60 | Dolby Vision |
Source10Reviewflatpanelshd.com/review.phpRead 7 October 2026Picture quality tests 4K SDR 60 Hz, HDR10 60 Hz selection and Dolby Vision 60 Hz output on compatible 2017 LG OLEDs. AVForums independently describes the same three 60 Hz output formats. Bit depth and chroma are not borrowed from compressed input files. Output rate is distinct from HDR decoding rate.11Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/119599Read 7 October 2026Maker defines 4K frame dimensions as 3840 x 2160. No lower-resolution maximum is inferred.12Reviewavforums.com/reviews/apple-tv-4k-hdr-media-player-streamer-review.13954Read 7 October 2026Setup and Operation explicitly names 4K Dolby Vision 60 Hz and 4K HDR10 60 Hz output, with display compatibility conditions. SDR is independently tested by FlatpanelsHD. Public web reader was accessible despite direct HTTP 403.
BApple TV HD (2015)
| Width (px) | Height (px) | Refresh rate (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 1080 | 60 |
HDR formats
Not available
Dolby Vision profiles
Not available
HDMI version
HDMI-CEC
Yes10Reviewflatpanelshd.com/review.phpRead 7 October 2026First impressions describes automatic TV power on, sleep power off and HDMI input switching using a compatible television and HDMI controls.13Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/tv/apple-tv-4k-remote-control-receiver-atvbbe2477c9/26/tvos/26Read 7 October 2026tvOS 26 receiver control chapter explicitly supports HDMI-CEC for TV/receiver control. Legacy review independently demonstrates automatic TV power and input switching via HDMI-CEC.
Automatic frame rate matching
Yes10Reviewflatpanelshd.com/review.phpRead 7 October 2026December 2017 update explicitly identifies tvOS 11.2 as adding automatic frame-rate matching on original hardware.14Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/102277Read 7 October 2026Current maker matching article supports Apple TV 4K output matching. Original review December 5, 2017 update explicitly identifies tvOS 11.2 enabling native frame-rate matching. Compatible apps and display apply. This was not in launch tvOS 11.0.
Dynamic range matching
Yes10Reviewflatpanelshd.com/review.phpRead 7 October 2026December 2017 update explicitly identifies tvOS 11.2 as adding SDR/HDR10/Dolby Vision range matching.14Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/102277Read 7 October 2026Current maker matching article supports Apple TV 4K original-content dynamic range. Original review documents tvOS 11.2 adding SDR/HDR10/Dolby Vision matching in December 2017. Not a launch feature.
Not available
Upscaling
Not available
Not available
Video decoding
2 of 4 differ
Video codecs
Video decode limits
AApple TV 4K (2017)
| Codec | Profile | Level | Width (px) | Height (px) | Max frame rate (fps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H.264 | Not available | Not available | 3840 | 2160 | 60 |
| HEVC | Main | Not available | 3840 | 2160 | 60 |
| HEVC | Main 10 | Not available | 3840 | 2160 | Not available |
| H.264 | Baseline | 3.0 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| MPEG-4 | Simple | Not available | 640 | 480 | 30 |
Source7Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111929Read 7 October 2026Video Formats: H.264/HEVC SDR up to 2160p60, Main/Main 10. The shown H.264 and HEVC Main 60 fps limits are explicitly SDR-scoped. HEVC Main 10 rate stays unset because the existing table cannot distinguish its SDR60 claim from an unproved HDR limit. Current maker Dolby Vision/HDR10 row states 2160p without a rate. H.264 Baseline level 3.0 or lower has no stated resolution/rate. MPEG-4 Simple is 640 x 480 at 30 fps. No profile name is overloaded and no HDR rate is inferred.11Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/119599Read 7 October 2026Maker defines 4K as 3840 x 2160, qualifying the published 2160p rows. Dynamic-range-specific limits remain a schema gap.
BApple TV HD (2015)
| Codec | Profile | Level | Width (px) | Height (px) | Max frame rate (fps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEVC | Main | Not available | Not available | 1080 | 30 |
| HEVC | Main 10 | Not available | Not available | 1080 | 30 |
| H.264 | High and Main | 4.2 | Not available | 1080 | 60 |
| H.264 | Baseline | 3.0 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| MPEG-4 | Simple | Not available | 640 | 480 | 30 |
Video containers
DRM systems
Audio
4 of 8 differ
Audio formats
HE-AAC v1, AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos7Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111929Read 7 October 2026Current first-generation Audio Formats explicitly lists these formats, including later Dolby Atmos support. Original 2017 reviews describe Atmos as absent then. This is current supported software, not a launch promise. Format decoding does not establish unchanged passthrough.
HE-AAC (V1), AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, Dolby Digital (AC-3), Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC-3)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111928Read 13 October 2026Audio Formats lists HE-AAC (V1), AAC up to 320 Kbps, protected AAC, MP3 up to 320 Kbps, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF and WAV. It also lists AC-3 (Dolby Digital 5.1) and E-AC-3 (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound). No Dolby Atmos is listed for the HD. Decoder and passthrough roles are not stated.
Audio passthrough formats
Not available
Not available
Dolby Atmos
Not available
Audio channel configurations
Not available
Max audio sample rate
Not available
Not available
Max audio bit depth
Not available
Not available
Bluetooth audio output
Not available
Bluetooth audio codecs
Not available
Not available
Processor and memory
6 of 11 differ
System on chip
Apple A10X Fusion7Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111929Read 7 October 2026Processor section explicitly names A10X Fusion with 64-bit architecture. No iPad clock or core configuration is borrowed.18Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/Apple+TV+4K+Teardown/97511Read 7 October 2026Teardown step 6 identifies Apple APL1071/343S00198 A10X Fusion processor on exact first-generation hardware.
CPU
Not available
Not available
CPU cores
Not available
Max CPU clock
Not available
Not available
GPU
Not available
Not available
RAM
3GB18Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/Apple+TV+4K+Teardown/97511Read 7 October 2026Teardown step 6 explicitly identifies SK Hynix 2 GB and 1 GB LPDDR4 packages for a stated total of 3 GB. Exact reference unit has 32 GB flash. No capacity is calculated from an unlabelled package.19Reviewflatpanelshd.com/review.phpRead 7 October 2026Generation comparison table, Apple TV 4K (2017) column, explicitly states 3 GB RAM for the 32/64 GB model family.
RAM type
LPDDR418Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/Apple+TV+4K+Teardown/97511Read 7 October 2026Step 6 explicitly names both memory packages as LPDDR4. Later generation comparison independently names first-generation RAM LPDDR4, not LPDDR4X.19Reviewflatpanelshd.com/review.phpRead 7 October 2026Hardware table first-generation 2017 column explicitly identifies LPDDR4. Later A12 and A15 subtype labels are not inherited.
Storage
Storage type
Expandable storage
No7Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111929Read 7 October 2026Ports and Interfaces image and list identify only HDMI, Ethernet and mains connection, with no data USB or card slot. No network stream is treated as attached storage expansion.20Reviewtomsguide.com/us/apple-tv-4k,review-4693.htmlRead 7 October 2026Design/ports section explicitly says a media server can supply personal files but a thumb drive cannot be plugged in for playback. Maker and teardown complete connector list has only mains, HDMI and Ethernet. Under attached-storage definition, network NAS streaming does not qualify. No added local app/media capacity is supported.
Not available
Storage expansion methods
Not available
Not available
Connectivity
3 of 7 differ
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi bands
Wi-Fi MIMO
Built-in Ethernet speed
Optional Ethernet adapter support
Not available
Not available
Bluetooth version
Ports
AApple TV 4K (2017)
| Connector | Count | Version | Role | Data speed (Gbps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI | 1 | 2.0a | Video and audio output | Not available |
| Ethernet | 1 | Not available | Network | 1 |
| AC power | 1 | Not available | Power input | Not available |
BApple TV HD (2015)
| Connector | Count | Version | Role | Data speed (Gbps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI | 1 | 1.4 | Video and audio output | Not available |
| Ethernet | 1 | Not available | Network | 0.1 |
| USB-C | 1 | Not available | Service and support only | Not available |
| AC power | 1 | Not available | Power input | Not available |
Smart home
3 of 3 differ
Thread border router
Not available
Matter controller
Yes19Reviewflatpanelshd.com/review.phpRead 7 October 2026Home hub section explicitly states Apple TV 4K (2017) supports Matter over Wi-Fi/LAN. Current Apple Home setup and supported later tvOS are required. Thread accessories require a separate Thread border router.21Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/102557Read 7 October 2026Current maker Home hub and Matter article explains Apple TV home-hub setup and adding Matter accessories. Thread-enabled accessories need a compatible Thread hub/router, which this first-generation box does not contain.
Not available
Smart home platforms
Apple Home, Matter19Reviewflatpanelshd.com/review.phpRead 7 October 2026Home hub section explicitly names the 2017 hardware as supporting Matter over Wi-Fi/LAN. Original maker launch separately identifies HomeKit home-hub functions.21Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/102557Read 7 October 2026Current maker article identifies Apple TV as an Apple Home hub with Matter accessories. The exact 2017 model has later Wi-Fi/LAN Matter support through tvOS, not a 2017 launch Matter promise.
Not available
Remote control
3 of 9 differ
Remote model
Remote connection
Remote microphone
Remote voice assistants
Remote TV control
Power, Volume, Input switching10Reviewflatpanelshd.com/review.phpRead 7 October 2026First impressions explicitly describes automatic TV power on from remote, power off through holding TV button and selecting Sleep, volume control and automatic HDMI input switching. Compatible TV and HDMI-CEC/IR setup are required. No dedicated power or mute button is implied.13Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/tv/apple-tv-4k-remote-control-receiver-atvbbe2477c9/26/tvos/26Read 7 October 2026Version-pinned tvOS 26 manual independently documents TV/receiver power and IR or HDMI-CEC volume control. Input switching is directly observed in the exact original review.
Not available
Remote backlight
Not available
Remote power
Remote charging port
Software
4 of 8 differ
Operating system
Operating system at launch
App store
Casting protocols
AirPlay 23Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2017/09/apple-tv-4k-brings-home-the-magic-of-cinema-with-4k-and-hdrRead 7 October 2026Built for the Biggest Screen original release names AirPlay and upcoming AirPlay 2. Later review establishes delivered support, not just the forecast.19Reviewflatpanelshd.com/review.phpRead 7 October 2026Generation comparison and supported tvOS feature discussion identify AirPlay 2 for original 2017 hardware. Original maker launch promised it later, so it is not described as present in launch tvOS 11.0.
Voice assistants
Mobile remote platforms
Not available
Accessibility features
VoiceOver, Zoom, Increase Contrast, Reduce Motion, Closed Caption and SDH Support, Audio Descriptions, Siri and Dictation, Switch Control7Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111929Read 7 October 2026Exact first-generation Accessibility Features include list. No later-generation-only feature is copied from another specification sheet.
VoiceOver, Zoom, Bold Text, Increase Contrast, Reduce Motion, Closed Caption and SDH Support, Accessibility Shortcut, Siri and Dictation1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111928Read 13 October 2026Accessibility Features include list: VoiceOver, Zoom, Bold Text, Increase Contrast, Reduce Motion, Closed Caption and SDH Support, Accessibility Shortcut, Siri and Dictation.
Gaming
2 of 2 differ
Game services
Not available
Game controller support
Sony DualShock 4, Sony DualSense, Xbox Wireless Controller with Bluetooth, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, Xbox Adaptive Controller, MFi-compatible game controllers27Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/tv/use-a-game-controller-atvbc9f8f810/26/tvos/26Read 7 October 2026Version-pinned tvOS 26 game-controller chapter explicitly lists these controllers for supported Apple TV models. Later controller support is not a 2017 launch promise. Firmware, game and controller-specific restrictions apply.
Not available
Power
0 of 5 differ
Power supply
Rated power input
100 to 240 V AC, 50 to 60 Hz, 1 A, 15 W (label rating)28Regulatory filingfccid.io/m/76c60cebc7cb22e3442dc0a5e396067a0b2c35d295df2532ddcdea7c97219ae6.pdfRead 7 October 2026Published Apple A1842 label drawing first line states 100-240 V AC, 50-60 Hz, 1 A and 15 W. Literal electrical input ratings are retained. Label rating and internal power-supply output are not treated as maximum actual device consumption. Public web PDF extraction was readable.
100 to 240 V AC, 50 to 60 Hz, 1 A, 15 W (label rating)7Maker spec sheet (PDF)cdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/information/locale/es-mx/ma1741_appletv-hd-info.pdfRead 13 October 2026Apple Info sheet for Mexico, Electrical Characteristics: Apple TV models A1842 and A1625, Entrada 100-240V 50-60Hz 1A 15W. One shared label line for both models. It is a rated input and not a measured consumption.
Included adapter output
Not available
Not available
Max power consumption (claimed)
Not available
Not available
Standby power (claimed)
Not available
Not available
Measured
None of 4 known
Video playback power (measured)
Not available
Not available
Idle power (measured)
Not available
Not available
Standby power (measured)
Not available
Not available
Boot time (measured)
Not available
Not available
Dimensions and weight
0 of 4 differ
Dimensions
Width98Height35Depth98mm(3.9 × 1.4 × 3.9 in)7Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111929Read 7 October 2026Apple TV 4K Size and Weight: width 98 mm, height 35 mm and depth 98 mm. Body only, excluding remote and cords.
Width98Height35Depth98mm(3.9 × 1.4 × 3.9 in)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111928Read 13 October 2026Size and Weight: height 35 mm, width 98 mm, depth 98 mm. Height is the box thickness.
Weight
Remote dimensions
Width38Height124Depth6.3mm(1.5 × 4.9 × 0.2 in)7Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111929Read 7 October 2026Siri Remote Size and Weight: width 38 mm, height 124 mm, depth 6.3 mm. Original supplied remote, not later 136 mm model.
Width38Height124Depth6.3mm(1.5 × 4.9 × 0.2 in)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111928Read 13 October 2026Siri Remote (1st generation): height 124 mm, width 38 mm, depth 6.3 mm.
Remote weight
Certifications
1 of 1 differ
In the box
1 of 2 differ
In the box
Apple TV 4K, Siri Remote (1st generation), Power cord, Lightning to USB cable, Documentation7Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111929Read 7 October 2026Exact first-generation In the Box list. The supplied remote is the original white Menu ring revision. No HDMI cable is included.
Apple TV HD, Siri Remote (1st generation), Power cord, Lightning to USB cable, Documentation1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111928Read 13 October 2026In the Box list. The remote is the Siri Remote (1st generation) in the original box. Apple names the remote only as Siri Remote on the current page.
HDMI cable included
Links
Not compared
Product page
Spec sheet
Manual
support.apple.com/guide/tv/welcome/26/tvos/268Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/tv/welcome/26/tvos/26Read 7 October 2026Version-pinned tvOS 26 guide. Its model chapter explicitly supports Apple TV 4K first generation and later. tvOS 27-only features are not inherited.31Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/tv/which-apple-tv-model-do-i-have-atvbac878c90/26/tvos/26Read 7 October 2026Pinned tvOS 26 model chapter explicitly states supported models include Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K first generation and later. This proves first-generation applicability of the pinned manual. Individually conditional features are not inherited merely because the guide covers the box.
Not available
EPREL registration number
Not available
Not available
Warranty
0 of 1 differ
Manufacturer warranty (source market)
1year9Maker product pageapple.com/legal/warranty/products/ios-warranty-document-us.htmlRead 7 October 2026Apple US one-year limited hardware warranty explicitly includes Apple TV and original packaged accessories for one year from original retail purchase. Optional AppleCare and statutory consumer rights are separate. The earlier Philippines-only service URL is replaced with direct canonical-region producer terms.30Maker product pageapple.com/legal/warranty/products/ios-warranty-emea-english.htmlRead 7 October 2026Apple EMEA one-year limited hardware warranty explicitly includes Apple TV and original packaged accessories. One-year producer warranty is separate from statutory consumer-law rights and paid AppleCare.
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