Apple announced the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K earlier this week, introducing the A19 chip, built-in microphones for hands-free Siri, four-speaker HomePod surround sound, and an updated Siri remote. It replaces the third-generation model introduced in 2022, bringing a number of internal changes while retaining the same basic design and most of the same entertainment features.
The new model costs $299 and comes with 128GB of storage. Siri AI is also coming to the third-generation model, and the new remote can be purchased separately for existing devices. Apple says Assistant will be available in beta with tvOS 27.2 on second-generation Apple TV 4K models and later, including conversational entertainment searches, follow-up questions, and personal context through a compatible paired device.
The distinctive hardware advantage of the new model is direct voice input via the case’s microphones; access to the voice assistant itself is shared. So upgrading depends on what hardware modifications you will actually use.
Configurations, connectivity and pricing
The differences in configurations, connectivity and price between the third and fourth generation Apple TV 4K are as follows:
| Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) | Apple TV 4K (4th generation) |
|---|---|
| 64 GB model: Wi-Fi only 128 GB model: Wi-Fi and Ethernet | Single 128GB configuration with Wi-Fi and Ethernet |
| Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
| Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth6 |
| Gigabit Ethernet on 128 GB model only | Gigabit Ethernet as standard |
| Threaded networking on 128 GB model only | Thread networking as standard |
| Original US launch price: $129 for 64 GB; $149 for 128 GB | US introductory pricing: $299 for 128 GB |
| Final prices before replacement: $199 for 64 GB; $249 for 128 GB | $299 for 128 GB |
| Now abandoned | Available for pre-order |
| Released November 4, 2022 | Available November 13, 2026 |
Apple increased the prices of the old model in June 2026, so the exclusive comparison of the new model with the initial launch price of its predecessor misses an interim increase. Compared to the final price of the equivalent 128 GB model, the new “Apple TV” costs $50 more. Compared to the previous entry-level configuration, it costs $100 more and includes twice the storage, Ethernet, and Thread connectivity.
A15 Bionic vs. A19
The A19 chip brings a noticeably newer chip architecture to the Apple TV. Apple says the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K offers the following improvements over the third-generation model:
- Until 50% faster CPU performance.
- Until twice the GPU performance.
The table below lists the capabilities of two chip architectures.
| A15 Bionic Chip | A19 chip |
|---|---|
| Manufactured with TSMC’s 5nm (N5P) process | Manufactured with TSMC’s third-generation 3nm (N3P) process |
| Dynamic caching | |
| Software-based ray tracing | Hardware-accelerated ray tracing |
| Mesh shading without the new dedicated hardware acceleration | Hardware-accelerated mesh shading |
| Dedicated neural accelerators in each GPU core | |
| 16-core neural engine | Updated 16-core neural engine architecture |
| Display engine and image signal processor | Updated display engine and image signal processor |
| Dedicated AV1 hardware decoder | |
| Multi-sample antialiasing up to 4x | Multi-sample antialiasing up to 8x |
| Maximum dimensions of 1D, 2D and cube-map textures of 16,384 pixels | Maximum dimensions of 1D, 2D and cube-map textures of 32,768 pixels |
| Universal texture compression | |
| MetalFX denoised scaling capability | |
| Testing Depth Limits |
The A19 chip has a significantly better GPU than the A15 Bionic. Dynamic Caching manages fast on-chip GPU memory based on workload. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading provide more advanced graphics processing capabilities, while GPU neural accelerators provide dedicated hardware for machine learning calculations.
While the GPU improvements will be particularly useful for gaming, it’s unclear to what extent the overall improvements to the chip architecture will make a significant difference to the Apple TV.
Hands-free Siri and HomePod Audio
The new microphones and expanded HomePod support offer some of the clearest functional differences between the two devices:
| Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) | Apple TV 4K (4th generation) |
|---|---|
| No microphone array built into the box; microphone only in Siri remote | Three integrated far-field microphones with voice isolation, alongside the Siri remote microphone |
| Siri voice input via remote control or other compatible device | Direct hands-free activation using “Siri” or “Hey Siri”, with echo cancellation during audio playback |
| Audio from the HomePod TV through a single speaker or stereo pair | Four-speaker HomePod surround sound using matched front and rear pairs |
| Automatic positioning, timing and level calibration for quad-speaker setup | |
| Whole Room Audio mode distributes sound to four HomePod speakers |
The four-speaker setup requires a HomePod mini 2 or second-generation full-size HomePod speakers. You can use four matched speakers or combine two matched front speakers with a different matched rear pair. For example, two full-size HomePods can serve as the front speakers and two HomePod mini 2 units as the rear speakers.
The first-generation full-size HomePods and the original HomePod mini speakers are excluded from this new quad-speaker setup. Existing owners should factor in any speaker replacements or additions when considering the cost of the upgrade.
Whole Room Audio serves a different purpose than directional home theater sound, distributing sound more evenly throughout the room for music, sports and more.
Hands-free support for Siri also has its own language requirements. Apple lists Mandarin Chinese, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Norwegian, and Swedish, subject to regional availability.
Siri Remote Differences
The fourth generation Siri Remote retains the familiar design and controls while making it easier to find a misplaced remote:
| Siri Remote control (3rd generation) | Siri Remote (4th generation) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth6 |
| Nearby search via iPhone, with proximity guidance | Find My with Precision Finding on a compatible iPhone |
| Bluetooth channel probing for precise location tracking | |
| Built-in speaker to play sound to locate remote control | |
| 66 grams | 69.6 grams |
The old remote already supported nearby search with an iPhone. Additional benefits of the new remote control are precise location guidance and an audible alert. Precision Search uses Bluetooth channel probing, providing precise tracking without requiring a UWB chip.
Precision Search requires an iPhone 17 or later, excluding iPhone 17e, or an iPhone Air or iPhone Duo running the latest software. You can also ask Siri to find the remote via the Apple TV’s built-in microphones and ask the remote to make a sound.
The new Siri remote is available separately for $59 and works with the third-generation Apple TV 4K, all previous Apple TV 4Ks, and even the Apple TV HD.
Design, dimensions and weight
Both generations retain the compact black case and Apple logo. The main visible changes are the microphone hardware and the repositioned front light.
| Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) | Apple TV 4K (4th generation) | |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 93 millimeters | 93.24 millimeters |
| Depth | 93 millimeters | 93.24 millimeters |
| Weight | Wi-Fi: 208g Wi-Fi + Ethernet: 214g | 217g |
| Status light | Positioned to the right | Centrally positioned |
| Packaging | Packaging made from at least 90% fiber | 100% fiber-based packaging |
The new box weighs three grams more than the previous Ethernet model and nine grams more than the Wi-Fi only model. The front-centered LED also indicates when the built-in microphones are listening for commands.
Should you upgrade to the third-generation Apple TV 4K?
Most third-generation Apple TV 4K owners should keep their existing device. For ordinary streaming through TV speakers, a soundbar, or an AV receiver, the new model doesn’t add any new features. The maximum viewing resolution and HDR support remain the same. The availability of Siri AI on older hardware further reduces the need to replace a functional device.
The most important reason to upgrade is a planned four-speaker HomePod system. If you already own two full-size second-generation HomePods and want dedicated rear speakers, the new Apple TV allows for a specific setup that your existing model can’t provide. Include the cost of additional or replacement speakers when you evaluate the upgrade.
Hands-free control is another handy reason if you regularly use Siri and want to speak directly to the device. It is probably more useful when the Apple TV is located directly in the viewing room than when it is installed in a separate cabinet or equipment rack.
AV1 hardware decoding may warrant upgrading for a particular media library or playback stream. Gaming enthusiasts may also appreciate the new GPU architecture, but the benefits depend on which games are available for tvOS and how developers use the hardware.
If locating the remote is a source of frustration, purchasing the $59 Siri remote separately is $240 less than replacing the entire Apple TV. This purchase provides the new remote features while retaining your existing device.
Should you buy the third or fourth generation model?
For a new purchase, the fourth generation Apple TV 4K is the smartest choice when the price difference is modest or you intend to use its exclusive features. Compared to Apple’s final price of $249 for the older 128GB model, the $50 premium is easier to justify than the much larger difference suggested when comparing original launch prices.
That being said, a discounted third-generation model is still a wise purchase. The older model is especially attractive when the savings are substantial and you’re not interested in a four-speaker HomePod sound system.
If you need Ethernet or want the Apple TV itself to provide Thread networking, choose the third-generation 128GB model or the fourth-generation model. A big enough saving on the older 128GB configuration can offset the improvements in the latest model that you’d rarely use.
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