Considering the last Apple TV refresh took place in 2017, it was about time we got a new set-top-box. And while the 2021 model doesn’t look much different, Apple has afforded it greatly improved specs and features.
Here are all the details on the new Apple TV 4K to give you an idea on the changes and more.
Apple TV 4K 2021 release date
- Pre-orders start on 30 April 2021
Announced during Apple’s Spring Loaded event on 20 April, the new Apple TV 4K box will be available to pre-order from Friday 30 April in the UK, US and many other countries.
It will ship from the “second-half of May”.
Also announced was a new Siri remote, which comes with the box and will be available as a separate add-on too. That allows existing Apple TV owners to upgrade their remotes without buying the full package.
New Apple TV 4K design
- No new design for the box
The Apple TV box is exactly the same in look and connectivity as before.
The small puck design means it measures 35mm (h) x 38mm (w) x 38mm (d). It weighs just 425g.
There is no dongle version, contrary to some rumours.
The remote is different though, which you can find out more about below.
2021 Siri Remote
A new Siri Remote releases with the Apple TV 4K 2021, with some of the least liked features of the previous version swapped for more familiar options.
The touchpanel has been converted into, what looks like, a more convenient clickpad. It is still touch-enabled for navigation but can also be used as a scroll wheel and has clickable direction buttons on its exterior.
The Siri button has been moved to the side of the remote, which are now flat – a bit like the iPhone 12 design.
It connects to the Apple TV via Bluetooth 5.0, also has an IR transmitter (with the ability to control your TV too), and the rechargable battery is claimed to last for months between charges (via Lightning).
Apple TV 4K features and specs
- Runs on A12 Bionic
- HDMI 2.1
- Wi-Fi 6 and dual-band
- Bluetooth 5.0
- High frame rate (HFR) at 60fps supported
Faster processor
The new Apple TV is powered by the same A12 Bionic chip found in the iPhone XS series, iPad 2020 and iPad mini. That means it is much more powerful than its 2017 predecessor and will therefore operate more quickly and be better suited to the modern games on Apple Arcade.
HFR
As well as Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision (which are also on the 2017 model), the new Apple TV 4K is capable of playing back high frame rate content in up to 60 frames per second, even with HDR enabled. That includes home videos recorded on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. You can stream supported videos over AirPlay 2.
Automatic Color Balance
Another clever new talent is the ability to calibrate your TV picture to studio standard automatically. The Color Balance feature works with your iPhone to assess the picture on screen via its FaceID camera. Settings will then be adjusted to give you the best picture possible.
Apple TV 4K 2021 pricing
- Starts at £169 / $179
Pricing for the new Apple TV 4K is the same as the last. It will cost £169 / $179 for the 32GB version, £189 / $199 for the version with 64GB of internal storage.