Photo: Dillan Payne / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons · source
Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)
Smaller, lighter and cheaper, with an A15 Bionic chip.
Overview
Apple surprised buyers by making the third Apple TV 4K cheaper than its predecessor. The enclosure is about a fifth smaller by volume and roughly half the weight, because the A15 Bionic chip is efficient enough to need less space for cooling.
Two models were sold. The base version had 64 GB and Wi-Fi only, while the $149 model offered 128 GB, Gigabit Ethernet and a Thread radio, allowing it to act as a border router and a Matter controller. Both support HDR10+ in addition to Dolby Vision.
The updated Siri Remote is charged over USB-C, a change from Lightning. The box remained the entry point to Apple's streaming service ecosystem until the fourth generation was announced in October 2026.
Why it mattered
Lowered the cost of entry for 4K Apple TV and added Thread support for the smart home.
At a glance
- Announced
- October 18, 2022
- Released
- November 4, 2022
- Launch price
- $129
- Status
- Available
Highlights
- A15 Bionic chip
- Starts at $129
- HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
- Thread on Ethernet model
- USB-C Siri Remote
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Chip
- Chip
- Apple A15 Bionic
Storage
- Storage
- 64 GB (Wi-Fi) or 128 GB (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
Video
- Max output
- 4K (2160p) at 60 fps, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDMI 2.1
Audio
- Audio
- Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 7.1, Dolby Digital Plus
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
- Ethernet
- Gigabit Ethernet (128 GB model only)
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Smart home
- HomeKit hub, Thread border router and Matter controller (Ethernet model)
- Remote
- Siri Remote (2nd generation) with USB-C
Design
- Dimensions
- 93 x 93 x 31 mm
- Weight
- 208 g (Wi-Fi) or 214 g (Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
Software
- Launch OS
- tvOS 16.1
How it compares
More in the Apple TV 4K family
Apple TV 4K (1st generation)
Ultra HD and high dynamic range arrive on Apple TV.
Apple TV 4K (2nd generation)
A12 Bionic power, high frame rate HDR and a redesigned remote.
Apple TV 4K (4th generation)
A19 chip, Wi-Fi 7 and far-field Siri in the new box.