Apple TV 4K 2022 is the latest streaming device launched by Apple which was released in October 2022. Moreover, it is the device that will get the new tvOS 17 update, which brings FaceTime, Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, and Apple Arcade to the big screen. Along with this, the Control Center is also redesigned in the new tvOS 17. Even though Apple TV 4K 2022 is very much compatible with the tvOS 17 so do the Apple TV 4K 2021. Also, both devices offer high-quality video and audio and have very similar features. So, what makes Apple TV 4K 2022 different from the 2021 version? In this Apple TV 4K 2021 vs 2022 guide, we have looked into a few criteria to know which is the best streaming device.
Apple TV 4K 2021 vs 2022
Both Apple TV 4K 2021 and 2022 are one of the best streaming devices in the world currently. So, we have compared the criteria like price, performance, design, video & audio to know which among them is the best as mentioned in the below table:
| Apple 4K 2021 | Apple 4K 2022 | |
| Performance | A12 Bionic chipset | A15 Bionic chipset that improves app load times, menu navigation, and gameplay in Apple Arcade. |
| Design | 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.4 inches long monitor, Lightning port for charging | 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.3 inches long monitor, USB-C port for charging |
| Video & Audio | Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos surround sound, Spatial audio for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max | Supports HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos surround sound, Spatial audio for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max |
| Price | $179 for the 32 GB version
$199 for the 64 GB version |
$129 for the 64 GB Wi-Fi-only version
$149 for the 128 GB Wi-Fi and Ethernet version |
Apple TV 4K 2022
The Apple TV 4K 2022 has a thinner and lighter design than the previous model, and it comes in two configurations i.e, a Wi-Fi-only model with 64 GB of storage for $129, or a Wi-Fi + Ethernet model with 128 GB of storage for $149. Here are some details about its performance, audio & video features:
Performance
The Apple TV 4K 2022 also has a more powerful processor, the A15 Bionic chip, which delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance and up to 30% faster graphics performance than the A12 Bionic chip in the Apple TV 4K 2021. This means that the new device can handle more demanding apps and games, as well as future updates and features.
Audio & Video
Another advantage of the Apple TV 4K 2022 is that it supports HDR10+, a dynamic HDR format that adjusts the brightness and contrast of each scene to enhance the picture quality. The Apple TV 4K 2021 only supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG, which are static HDR formats that apply the same settings to the whole video. HDR10+ is compatible with some streaming services, such as Amazon Prime Video, and some TVs from Samsung, Panasonic, and Philips. The latter also supports Thread, a network protocol that allows smart home devices to communicate with each other.
Apple TV 4K 2021
The Apple TV 4K 2021, on the other hand, is still a great device that offers many of the same features as the new model. It has a slightly larger and heavier design, but it also has a Gigabit Ethernet port in all models, which can provide a more stable and faster internet connection than Wi-Fi. Also, it has the same HDMI 2.1 port, Wi-Fi 6 with MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, AirPlay, Dolby Atmos, and Siri Remote as the Apple TV 4K 2022. Here are some details about the Apple TV 4K 2021 performance, storage, audio & video features:
Audio & Video
The Apple TV 4K 2021 supports up to 4K UHD resolution at 60 frames per second, which is the same as the new model. However, it lacks HDR10+ picture quality. Other than that it has similar audio features to that of the succeeding generation like Dolby Atmos surround sound, AirPlay output for up to two sets of AirPods, and spatial audio for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
Performance and Storage
The Apple TV 4K 2021 has fewer storage options i.e., 32 GB or 64 GB only, which might not be enough if you download a lot of apps and games. Also, it has a less powerful processor, the A12 Bionic chip, which might not be able to handle some of the newer and more demanding apps and games.
In short, both the Apple TV 4K 2021 and the Apple TV 4K 2022 are excellent streaming devices that can provide you with a great entertainment experience. However, Apple TV 4K 2022 is better than Apple TV 4K 2021 in terms of price, storage, performance, and other features. So, if you are going to purchase Apple TV it is better to go with the 2022 generation.
That was the end of the Apple TV 4K 2021 vs 2022 guide. You can also check out our guides, such as MacBook Air 15 vs MacBook Pro 14 or AirPods Pro vs AirPods Pro 2.