Apple TV · HD

2015

Apple TV HD

Transformed the living room into a software platform by introducing tvOS with the native App Store, the glass-touch Siri Remote, and 64-bit Apple A8 silicon with 32GB/64GB local storage.

Announced
2015-09-09
Family
Apple TV
Branch
HD
Historical weight
Paradigm shift

Key specifications

Apple verification ↗
Display
HDMI out, 1080p
Chip / CPU
Apple A8 · 1.50 GHz
Memory
2 GB
Base storage
32 GB
Ports & charging
HDMI, Ethernet, USB-C
Weight
425 g
Dimensions
Black square
Original OS
tvOS 9
Launch price
$149
Released
October 30, 2015
Discontinued
2021
Graphics
PowerVR GX6450
CPU cores
2

Generation delta

What changed?

Introduced

8
  • tvOS operating system featuring the App Store, native third-party apps, Metal graphics…

    tvOS operating system featuring the App Store, native third-party apps, Metal graphics framework, and MFi game controller support.

    Ports
  • Siri Remote (1st generation) with glass touch surface, dual microphones for natural lan…

    Siri Remote (1st generation) with glass touch surface, dual microphones for natural language search, motion sensors (accelerometer and gyroscope), and Lightning charging.

    Ports
  • 64-bit Apple A8 system-on-a-chip

    64-bit Apple A8 system-on-a-chip.

    Silicon
  • Dedicated local NAND flash storage

    32 GB and 64 GB tiers for apps, games, and cached video assets.

    Storage
  • Taller enclosure (35 mm vs 23 mm) designed around a large passive aluminum heat dissipa…

    Taller enclosure (35 mm vs 23 mm) designed around a large passive aluminum heat dissipation plate.

    Design
  • USB-C diagnostic and developer tethering port, replacing Micro-USB

    USB-C diagnostic and developer tethering port, replacing Micro-USB.

    Ports
  • Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO support

    Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO support.

    Connectivity
  • HDMI-CEC integration enabling automatic television power synchronization and volume con…

    HDMI-CEC integration enabling automatic television power synchronization and volume control.

    Ports

Changed

4
  • System memory expanded fourfold from 512 MB to 2 GB LPDDR3 RAM

    System memory expanded fourfold from 512 MB to 2 GB LPDDR3 RAM.

    Storage
  • Remote control protocol shifted from direct infrared line-of-sight to Bluetooth 4.0 wir…

    Remote control protocol shifted from direct infrared line-of-sight to Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connection.

    Connectivity
  • Height grew from 23 mm to 35 mm

    Height grew from 23 mm to 35 mm; weight increased from 270 g to 425 g.

    Design
  • Launch pricing shifted upward from $99 to $149 (32 GB) and $199 (64 GB) reflecting its…

    Launch pricing shifted upward from $99 to $149 (32 GB) and $199 (64 GB) reflecting its status as an app platform.

    Software

Retired

3
  • Optical digital audio (TOSLINK) port

    Optical digital audio (TOSLINK) port; all multichannel audio output consolidated over HDMI.

    Ports
  • Fixed server-pushed channel menu paradigm

    Fixed server-pushed channel menu paradigm.

    Product
  • Micro-USB service port

    Micro-USB service port.

    Ports

Retained

1
  • 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port, HDMI video output (HDMI 1.4), internal universal power supp…

    10/100BASE-T Ethernet port, HDMI video output (HDMI 1.4), internal universal power supply, and infrared receiver.

    Connectivity

Canonical predecessor

Apple TV (3rd generation) Apple TV HD