You’re standing in a tech aisle or scrolling through a resale app, staring at three black boxes that look identical. They’re all small. They’re all "4K." Honestly, it’s a mess. Most people think they’re just buying "the Apple one," but if you pick the wrong version, you’re stuck with a remote that feels like a bar of soap or a processor that’s starting to show its age.
The Apple TV 4K isn't just one product. It's a series of internal overhauls tucked inside a chassis that Apple refuses to change. Since 2017, we’ve seen three distinct generations, and as we sit here in 2026, a fourth is looming on the horizon with rumors of A17 Pro chips and "Apple Intelligence" integration.
But let’s get real. Do you actually need the newest one? Or can you save a hundred bucks on a used 2021 model?
The 1st Gen (2017): The Aging Workhorse
This is the one that started it all. If you flip it over, look for model number A1842.
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Inside, it runs on the A10X Fusion chip. That’s the same brain that powered the old iPad Pros. For its time, it was a beast. Even today, it handles 4K HDR and Dolby Vision surprisingly well. But there’s a catch—it uses an internal fan. If you’ve ever heard a faint whirring during a quiet movie scene, that’s your 1st gen trying to stay cool.
The real dealbreaker is the remote. This generation shipped with the original Siri Remote—the thin, black glass one with the trackpad that everyone hated. It’s fragile. It’s symmetrical, so you always pick it up upside down in the dark. If you’re buying this used, factor in the cost of a new remote. Basically, it’s a "budget" entry point, but it feels like tech from a different era.
The 2nd Gen (2021): The Sweet Spot
In 2021, Apple finally listened to the shouting. They released the A2169.
They swapped the A10X for the A12 Bionic. This was a massive jump in efficiency. More importantly, they ditched the glass remote for the silver aluminum Siri Remote with a proper clickpad. It’s heavier, it has a mute button, and it actually works.
This model also introduced:
- HDMI 2.1 (specifically for eARC support).
- Wi-Fi 6 for more stable streaming.
- Thread support, which is a big deal if you’re into smart home gear like Matter-enabled lights.
If you find a 2nd Gen Apple TV 4K on sale, buy it. It doesn’t have the latest HDR10+ support, but unless you own a high-end Samsung TV, you won’t even notice.
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The 3rd Gen (2022): The Current King (For Now)
Then came the A2737 (Wi-Fi) and A2843 (Wi-Fi + Ethernet).
Apple did something weird here. They made it smaller by removing the fan entirely. The A15 Bionic chip inside is so efficient it doesn't need active cooling. It’s silent. It’s fast. Like, "instant-app-loading" fast.
But they also split the lineup. You have to be careful here. The 64GB version is Wi-Fi only. If you want a physical Ethernet port for lag-free 4K streaming or Thread networking for your smart home, you must get the 128GB version. It’s a twenty-dollar difference that fundamentally changes what the box can do.
The remote also switched to USB-C charging. No more hunting for a Lightning cable. It’s a small tweak, but it makes life easier.
Identifying Them at a Glance
Identifying these things is a nightmare because they look the same from across the room. Here is the quick-and-dirty way to tell them apart without checking settings:
- Check the bottom: The 1st and 2nd gen have a ring of vents on the bottom. The 3rd gen is smooth because it has no fan.
- Look at the logo: The 3rd gen (2022) just has the Apple logo on top. The older ones have "tv" written next to the logo.
- The Remote: If the remote is black glass, it's a 1st gen. If it’s silver with a Lightning port, it’s 2nd gen. If it’s silver with a USB-C port, it’s 3rd gen.
Why the 2026 Rumors Actually Matter
We are currently hearing a lot about the upcoming 4th generation. Leaks from supply chains suggest a spring 2026 launch.
Why should you care? Because Apple is reportedly putting the A17 Pro (from the iPhone 15 Pro) into the next box. This isn't just about watching Netflix. It’s about Apple Intelligence. Imagine a Siri that actually understands "Find that movie where the guy goes to space and there's a robot that looks like a monolith" without you having to remember the title.
There’s also talk of an N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7. If you’re living in a crowded apartment building with fifty other Wi-Fi signals, Wi-Fi 7 is the holy grail of stability.
Is It Worth Upgrading?
Honestly, it depends on what you're doing.
If you’re still on a 1st Gen (2017), yes. The performance gap is now a canyon. You’ll notice the difference the second you hit the Home button. The UI is snappier, and you’ll stop fighting with that terrible glass remote.
If you have a 2nd Gen (2021), stay put. Unless you desperately need HDR10+ for a Samsung TV or you want the extra storage of the 128GB model, there is almost zero visible difference in picture quality. The A12 is still plenty fast for tvOS.
If you’re looking to buy right now, in early 2026, wait. With a new model likely weeks or months away, the 3rd gen price is going to crater on the used market, and the new model will likely offer enough AI-driven features to make it the "future-proof" choice for the next five years.
Your Next Steps
- Check your model: Go to Settings > General > About and look for the model number.
- Verify your remote: If you're on a 1st gen but love the box, you can actually buy the newer USB-C Siri Remote separately. It works with older 4K models.
- Check your cables: If you have a 2nd or 3rd gen, make sure you're using a "High Speed" or "Ultra High Speed" HDMI cable. A cheap 10-year-old cable will bottleneck your 4K HDR signal, making your expensive box perform like a 1080p stick.
- Hold off on new purchases: If you can wait until the March/April 2026 window, do it. The market is about to shift.