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Apple TV Q&A
Published May 25, 2021
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What are all the differences between the Apple TV 4K (2021) and the Apple TV 4K (2017) replaced? Is the newer model a worthwhile upgrade?
The original Apple TV 4K released in 2017 and replaced by the current Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) in 2021 look identical, but the bundled remotes are dramatically different and there are some notable differences in internals, connectivity, and capability, as well.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple TV 4K Remotes - Original & 2nd Gen)
The original Apple TV 4K shipped with a black "Siri Remote" (A1962, EMC 3186) with a raised white ring around the "Menu" button, a Glass Touch surface, dual microphones for Siri, an accelerometer and three-axis gyroscope. It was widely panned for being inconvenient to use.
The current Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen), by contrast, ships with a silver-colored "Siri Remote" (A2540, EMC 3732, MJFM3LL/A) with a touch-enabled "clickpad control that offers five-way navigation" and an outer ring that works as a "jog control" for quick scene selection. In hands-on use, the ease-of-orientation by feel and the mute button alone are major improvements. This remote is compatible with both Apple TV 4K models -- and the Apple TV HD -- and can be purchased separately for US$59.
External & Connectivity Differences
There are notable connectivity differences between the original Apple TV 4K and Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen), but they are not even apparent from appearance.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple TV 4K Ports)
Both models have Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.0, and an IR receiver for the remote, but the original Apple TV 4K has an HDMI 2.0a port and 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO (simultaneous dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) whereas the Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) has an HDMI 2.1 port, even faster 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with MIMO, and "Thread" networking support.
Identification Differences
The original Apple TV 4K and Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) can not be differentiated readily by appearance.
However, these models can be quickly identified by Model Number and EMC Number, both of which are provided in tiny type toward the bottom of the underside of each device:
Apple TV |
Subfamily |
Model No. |
EMC No. |
4K (Original) |
|||
4K (2nd Gen) |
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Lookup feature also can uniquely identify both of these Apple TV models by their Order Numbers, and this is another method that can be used to find the precise one.
Internal Differences
Although both offer either 32 GB or 64 GB of internal flash storage, the original Apple TV 4K and Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) models are quite different internally.
The original Apple TV 4K model has a 2.3 GHz Apple A10X Fusion processor and embedded M10 motion coprocessor whereas the Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) has a significantly faster 2.49 GHz Apple A12 Bionic processor.
Both models support 4K video, but the Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) supports high-frame rate HDR with Dolby Vision (HLG up to 2160p, 60 fps) as well as Dolby Atmos audio capabilities.
Software Differences
Both the original Apple TV 4K and Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) run the "tvOS" with support for an app store and full fledged apps and games.
For now, both devices support the current version of the operating system, but the newer, faster Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) is more likely to support the current version for longer.
Comparison Chart
The major differences are summarized below:
 Apple TV 4K |
 Apple TV 4K 2 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Type: | Apple A10X Fusion | Apple A12 Bionic |
| Processor Speed: | 2.3 GHz (Variable) | 2.49 GHz (Variable) |
| Storage Options: | 32, 64 GB | 32, 64 GB |
| Video Support: | 4K (2160p) | 4K (2160p) |
| Dolby Vision: | Yes | Yes |
| HDR10: | Yes | Yes |
| HLG: | No | Yes (60 fps) |
| USB Ports: | None | None |
| Display Port: | HDMI 2.0a | HDMI 2.1 |
| Ethernet: | Gigabit | Gigabit |
| Thread: | No | Yes |
| Dolby 7.1: | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos: | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ac DB | 802.11ax |
| Bluetooth: | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Siri Remote: | Black (A1962) | Silver (A2540) |
| Original OS: | tvOS 11 | tvOS 14.5 |
| Maximum OS: | Current | Current |
| Apple Order No: | MQD22LL/A MP7P2LL/A |
MXGY2LL/A MXH02LL/A |
| Apple Model No: | A1842 | A2169 |
| EMC No: | 3124 | 3111 |
| Original Price: | US$179, US$199 | US$179, US$199 |
| Current Price: | Used Only | US$179, US$199 |
So, is the Apple TV 4K (2021, 2nd Gen) a worthwhile upgrade from the original Apple TV 4K (2017)?
The Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen), introduced in 2021, is a nice upgrade from the original Apple TV 4K, introduced in 2017. It is (1) bundled with a much better remote, (2) faster, (3) supports high-frame rate HDR (60 fps), (4) supports Dolby Atmos, and (5) has improved connectivity.
However, these differences are pretty minor in practice. If you already have an original Apple TV 4K and you do not like its remote, you might choose to just purchase the newer silver "Siri Remote" (A2540, EMC 3732, MJFM3LL/A) as a replacement for US$59. If you are buying an Apple TV for the first time or upgrading from an older model, the Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) is the best Apple TV that exists.
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