Apple TV 4K Vs. Apple TV HD: Which Apple Streaming Box Is Best?

When it comes to Apple streaming devices, there are just two options to choose from: Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD. The two gadgets look identical and have the same Siri Remote, though there’s a clear winner when comparing the two side-by-side.

Apple debuted the first Apple TV in January 2007. In the years since then, it’s become a fairly niche entry in the streaming landscape. Companies like Amazon, Roku, and Google have absolutely dominated the market for in-home streaming boxes, largely thanks to their affordable prices. The two Apple TV models are substantially more expensive by comparison, but for people who rely on the Apple ecosystem in one way or another, Apple TV stands out in a way its competitors cannot.

That’s ultimately the main draw to both the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD. Regardless of which model someone buys, they’re getting a streaming box that’s tightly integrated with a ton of Apple services. People can use the Apple TV to listen to songs on Apple Music, break a sweat with Apple Fitness+, kick back with a game on Apple Arcade, and browse through endless pictures with the Apple Photos app. These are all services not available on any other streaming box, and for someone that relies on one, two, or all of them, that alone makes either Apple TV a compelling purchase.

Why No One Should Buy Apple TV HD In 2021

While the software experience of both Apple TV models is fairly similar, it doesn’t take long for the Apple TV 4K to show its dominance. As its name implies, the Apple TV 4K has 2160p Ultra HD video streaming with support for HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. The 2021 model also features HDR at up to 60fps, ideal for sports and other fast-paced content. From TV shows, movies, documentaries, and more, all of this comes together to make everything on Apple TV 4K look its absolute best. Apple TV HD, on the other hand, has 1080p Full HD streaming and nothing more. There’s no HDR, no Dolby Atmos, no 4K resolution — none of it. It all results in a viewing experience that’s pretty underwhelming by today’s standards, especially considering how much Apple is still selling the Apple TV HD for.

And that’s not the only downside of the Apple TV HD. Apple’s lower-end streaming box is also limited to HDMI 1.4 technology, has 2GB of RAM, an aging A8 processor, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 4.0. With the Apple TV 4K, users get HDMI 2.1, 3GB of RAM, a faster A12 processor, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0. Not only does all that make the Apple TV 4K the more capable streaming device today, but it’s also much more future-proofed than the Apple TV HD will ever be.

Then there’s the matter of price. The Apple TV HD sells for $149 with 32GB of storage, whereas the 32GB Apple TV 4K is slightly more expensive at $179. Both streaming boxes are overpriced compared to the rest of the market, but that’s especially true in the case of the Apple TV HD. Spending $149 for a streaming device that doesn’t support 4K, lacks HDR, and has a processor from 2014 isn’t something anyone should do. For Apple fans that want the Apple experience on the big screen, it’s absolutely worth spending $30 more for the Apple TV 4K. It offers a substantially better streaming experience, has a more capable processor, and is backed by newer wireless technologies to ensure it keeps operating as smoothly as can be for years to come.

RELATED

• A Fool And A Lover