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Apple TV 4K (1st generation)
Ultra HD and high dynamic range arrive on Apple TV.
Overview
Apple TV 4K was introduced during the same event as the iPhone X and focused on picture quality. The box can output 2160p video with HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and an A10X Fusion processor decodes the heavy HEVC streams that these formats need.
Apple also changed iTunes pricing so that 4K films were offered at the same price as HD ones, and automatically upgraded earlier purchases. The hardware kept the taller body of the previous model, with Gigabit Ethernet on the back and faster Wi-Fi with MIMO.
A tvOS update in 2018 added Dolby Atmos audio. The remote was unchanged until the second generation, but the box formed the base of the streaming lineup for years, supporting 4K apps such as Netflix, Amazon and eventually Apple TV+.
Why it mattered
Introduced 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision to the Apple TV line and reset iTunes pricing for 4K content.
At a glance
- Announced
- September 12, 2017
- Released
- September 22, 2017
- Discontinued
- April 20, 2021
- Launch price
- $179
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- 4K HDR10 and Dolby Vision
- A10X Fusion chip
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Dolby Atmos via tvOS 12
- 32 GB or 64 GB storage
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Chip
- Chip
- Apple A10X Fusion
- RAM
- 3 GB
Storage
- Storage
- 32 GB or 64 GB
Video
- Max output
- 4K (2160p) at 60 fps, HDR10 and Dolby Vision over HDMI 2.0a
Audio
- Audio
- Dolby Digital 7.1, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos (tvOS 12)
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi
- 802.11ac with MIMO
- Ethernet
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Smart home
- Not applicable
- Ports
- HDMI 2.0a, USB-C (service)
- Remote
- Siri Remote with touch surface
Design
- Dimensions
- 98 x 98 x 35 mm
- Weight
- 425 g
Software
- Launch OS
- tvOS 11
How it compares
More in the Apple TV 4K family
Apple TV 4K (2nd generation)
A12 Bionic power, high frame rate HDR and a redesigned remote.
Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)
Smaller, lighter and cheaper, with an A15 Bionic chip.
Apple TV 4K (4th generation)
A19 chip, Wi-Fi 7 and far-field Siri in the new box.