The new Apple TV 4K (2022) is coming to replace the relatively new Apple TV 4K (2021), and it makes its case more affordable and a few tweaks here and there. But how does it stack up against the previous model?
Unlike some other Apple devices, streaming devices don’t go in and out on a yearly or biannual basis. However, the new Apple TV 4K (2022) is aimed at new users as much as it is aimed at existing users.
Slashing its price by a cool $50, while upgrading the internal storage, Apple’s expensive streaming device isn’t as blatantly expensive as it once was. On top of that, you get an A15 Bionic chip for faster performance and HDR10+ support for better image quality.
And we’ll explain it all in Apple TV 4K (2022) vs. Apple TV 4K (2021)!
Apple TV 4K (2022) vs. Apple TV 4K (2021): Specifications
| Apple TV 4K (2022) | Apple TV 4K (2021) | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial price | $129 / £149 / AU$219 | $179 / £169 / $249 |
| start storage | 64 GB | 32 GB |
| Wireless connection | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with MIMO; Dual band simultaneous (2.4GHz and 5GHz) |
| Gigabit Ethernet | Only on 128GB model for $149 | yes |
| the decision | Up to 4K UHD at 60 fps | Up to 4K UHD at 60 fps |
| Dimensions | 3.7 x 3.7 x 1.2 inches | 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.4 inches |
| Colors | black | black |
| Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 |
| Supported Video Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10 + / HDR10 / HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10 / HLG |
| far | Siri remote control | Siri remote control |
| Healer | A15 Bionic | A12 Bionic |
Apple TV 4K (2022) vs. Apple TV 4K (2021): Price
The biggest difference over the Apple TV 4K 2022 and its not-too-distant predecessor is $50. Yes, Apple has finally lowered the price of the premium streaming device. And he also upgraded the internal storage at the same time.
Apple TV 4K (2022) starts in $129 (Opens in a new tab) With 64GB of storage, the $179 Apple TV 4K (2021) started with 32GB internally. Both include the 2021 Siri remote.
Apple TV 4K (2022) vs. Apple TV 4K (2021): Design and Ports
The new Apple TV 4K (3.7 x 3.7 x 1.2 inches) is still a glossy black box, and is slightly smaller than the 2021 Apple TV 4K (3.9 x 3.9 x 1.4 inches).
One change we didn’t expect to see is that the Apple TV 4K’s Gigabit Ethernet port is only available on its higher-priced model, the $149, 128GB Apple TV 4K. This Ethernet-equipped model includes Thread network support — which was present on all 2021 device models. Smart home devices will run on the Matter standard on the new Apple TV 4K (2022).
Both 2021 and 2022 Apple TV 4K have HDMI 2.1 support, allowing data rates of higher than 18 Gbps (Gigabits per second) up to 48 Gbps. Support for HDMI 2.1 (as it did last year) makes us wonder if Apple can update the new Apple TV software to support 8K video. No such feature has been announced, and it is unclear if the rest of the devices can support it. Essentially, HDMI 2.1 is future-proofing.
The new Apple TV 4K vs the old Apple TV 4K: performance
We could never have accused Apple TV 4K of being slow, but those charges are going to struggle even more this year.
Apple TV 4K (2022) runs on the A15 Bionic processor, which Apple says enables up to 50% faster CPU performance, which should enable faster response and smoother graphics for the interface. Oh, and expect up to 30% faster GPU performance, which is what you want if you’re an Apple Arcade user on your Apple TV 4K.
Apple TV 4K (2022) vs. Apple TV 4K (2021): Audio and Video
After Apple TV 4K 2021 added support for 4K HDR content at 60 frames per second — a great change for sports fans — there’s not much left to do. Except for one small video standard you know.
HDR10+, available on all Fire TV Sticks and Cubes including the $29 Fire TV Stick Lite and Rokus as cheap as the Roku Express 4K Plus, is not included in the 2021 Apple TV 4K. The big difference with HDR10+ support is the fact that this standard uses metadata to make HDR more accurate and optimized based on the content on the screen. Amazon Prime Video has used HDR10+ in its content since December 2017.
Other than that, these are the same hardware when it comes to putting pictures on your TV and pumping sound out of your system. The 2021 model and the new Apple TV 4K (2022) both support 4K UHD video at up to 60 frames per second, with Dolby Vision and Atmos support.
Apple TV 4K (2022) vs. Apple TV 4K (2021): Siri Remote
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Apple kept that adage this year, after fixing the Apple TV remote last year — it didn’t change the remote at all this year. While some on our team may not like the touchpad elements that remain (claims have surfaced that they are “too sensitive”).
Apple TV 4K (2022) vs. Apple TV 4K (2021): Outlook
We love the Apple TV 4K, but we always said the $179 2021 model price was too rich for most people’s blood. Now, an Apple TV 4K (2022) might fix that — and that price tag, I think, is the best new feature. However, the $129 price tag is still more than double the price of the excellent Roku Streaming Stick 4K, and $30 more than the better Roku Ultra.
Other improvements in performance and picture quality from the new Apple TV may be great for those with cash to burn, but the promotions audience feels limited. The 2021 Apple TV 4K has always been fast, and since the Apple TV 4K is still far from cheap, we doubt this year’s model will put many owners of the latest model back in the cart.
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