Comparing Every Model of the Apple TV

The recent models of the Apple TV look confusingly similar: they're small, pocket-sized devices that resemble oversized hockey pucks. Sure, the Apple TV 4K is about twice as tall as the third-generation model, but that's a little subtle. Just because they look the same doesn't mean they are the same.

The differences between the 2nd and 5th generation models, for instance, are huge. The newest model—the Apple TV 4K, which is the 5th generation—has a number of obvious differences and is a revolutionary improvement over earlier models.

A quick glance at the chart below may cause the 2nd and 3rd generation models to appear identical. They're not, but they're close. The only major difference between the two is that the 3rd generation supports 1080p HD video output, as opposed to the 2nd generation's maximum resolution of 720p.

It's easy to buy the Apple TV 4K or the 4th-generation model. The both 1st generation models, the 2nd generation, and 3rd generation Apple TV are no longer available from Apple, but they can still be found used.

This chart helps you understand how each model is different by comparing the features, benefits, and specifications of each Apple TV model. The easy to read and compare chart is designed to help you make the right purchase.

To learn more about these Apple TV models, check out:

Apple TV Comparison Chart

	Apple TV 4K	4th Gen. Apple TV	3rd Gen. Apple TV	2nd Gen. Apple TV	1st Gen. Apple TV
Processor	Apple A10 Fusion	Apple A8	Apple A5	Apple A4	1 GHz Intel Crofton Pentium M
Video Storage	up to 32GB 64GB	up to 32GB 64GB	N/A	N/A	40GB 160GB
Music Storage	up to 32GB 64GB	up to 32GB 64GB	N/A	N/A	40GB 160GB
Photo Storage	up to 32GB 64GB	up to 32GB 64GB	N/A	N/A	40GB 160GB
App Store	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Games	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Siri	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Universal Search	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Supported Formats	H.264 up to 2160p, HDR10, Dolby Vision, AAC, MPEG-4, MP3	H.264 up to 1080p, AAC, MPEG-4, MP3	H.264 up to 1080p, AAC, MPEG-4, MP3	H.264 up to 720p, AAC, MPEG-4, MP3	H.264, AAC, MPEG-4
Netflix Streaming	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Max. HDTV Formats	4K	1080p	1080p	720p	720p
Interfaces	HDMI 2.0, Ethernet, IR Receiver	HDMI, Ethernet, USB-C, IR Receiver	HDMI, Ethernet, Optical Audio, Micro USB, IR Receiver	HDMI, Ethernet, Optical Audio, Micro USB, IR Receiver	HDMI, Component A/V, Optical Audio, Anlog Audio, USB 2.0, Ethernet, IR Receiver
Networking	Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0	10/100 Base-T Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0	10/100 Base-T Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi	10/100 Base-T Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi	10/100 Base-T Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
Remote Control	Siri Remote with touchpad and mic	Siri Remote with touchpad and mic	Apple Remote	Apple Remote	Apple Remote
Remote Can Control TV	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Use Apple Watch as Remote	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Weight**	0.94	0.94	0.6	0.6	2.4
Size*	3.9 x 3.9 x 1.4	3.9 x 3.9 x 1.3	3.9 x 3.9 x 0.9	3.9 x 3.9 x 0.9	7.7 x 7.7 x 1.1
Price	US$179 $199	US$149 $199	$99	$99	$329 $229

* in inches
** in pounds

Another Key Difference: Jailbreaking

If you like to push the envelope with your technology, there's another aspect of the Apple TV that may be important to you: which models can be jailbroken. Jailbreaking is a technique that removes the restrictions and controls Apple applies to its products to let you install your own software and make all kinds of customizations.

Only the 2nd and 4th generation models can be jailbroken. If this is something you want to try, stay away from the original or the 3rd generation. It seems likely that the Apple TV 4K will be jailbroken eventually, but that has not happened as of this writing.

As always, it bears noting that jailbreaking requires technical skills that the average person doesn't have and can lead to damaging your device and voiding your warranty. If you try it, you're pretty much on your own.