Apple TV HD (4th generation)
The first Apple TV with an App Store, Siri and a touch remote.
Overview
This was a complete restart for Apple TV. Apple built a new operating system, tvOS, and for the first time opened the box to third-party apps and games, distributed through an App Store on the TV.
The new Siri Remote had a glass touch surface for swiping, a microphone for voice searches across multiple services, and a motion sensor for games. The A8 chip and 2 GB of memory handled graphics well enough for casual gaming, and 32 GB or 64 GB of storage held apps.
A taller box with a USB-C service port and Wi-Fi 5 replaced the earlier slim design. Output remained at 1080p, so after the 4K model arrived in 2017 Apple renamed this one Apple TV HD and kept selling it as a lower-priced alternative for several more years.
Why it mattered
Opened Apple TV to third-party apps with tvOS and added Siri, changing it into a platform.
At a glance
- Announced
- September 9, 2015
- Released
- October 30, 2015
- Launch price
- $149
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- tvOS and App Store
- Siri Remote with touch surface
- A8 chip with 2 GB RAM
- 32 GB or 64 GB storage
- 1080p video output
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Chip
- Chip
- Apple A8
- RAM
- 2 GB
Storage
- Storage
- 32 GB or 64 GB
Video
- Max output
- 1080p at 60 fps over HDMI 1.4
Audio
- Audio
- Dolby Digital 7.1 and Dolby Digital Plus pass-through
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi
- 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2x2 MIMO)
- Ethernet
- 10/100 Ethernet
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 4.0
- Smart home
- Not applicable
- Ports
- HDMI, USB-C (service)
- Remote
- Siri Remote with touch surface (Bluetooth), also IR receiver
Design
- Dimensions
- 98 x 98 x 35 mm
- Weight
- 425 g
Software
- Launch OS
- tvOS 9
How it compares
More in the Apple TV family
Apple TV (1st generation)
The original hard-drive set-top box, later upgraded by Take Two.
Apple TV (2nd generation)
A tiny $99 black box that streams everything from the internet.
Apple TV (3rd generation)
The same small box, now with 1080p video and a faster A5 chip.