Is Apple TV 3rd gen still good?
As an electronics expert and avid streamer, I get asked this question a lot – should you buy an old Apple TV 3rd generation in 2024 or upgrade to the newer 4th gen model? While the 3rd gen is cheap and still usable, the 4th gen brings some major technical advantages. Let‘s dig into the details across over a dozen categories to help you decide.
Overview of Apple TV Generations
Apple TV lets you stream movies, shows, music, games, and more to your TV. There have been 5 hardware generations so far:
- 1st gen – 2006
- 2nd gen – 2010
- 3rd gen – 2012
- 4th gen – 2015
- 4K – 2017 (2nd gen 4K model)
- 4K 3rd gen – 2022
This guide will do a technical face-off between the popular 3rd gen from 2012 against the current 4th gen model.
Release Dates
- Apple TV 3rd gen – March 2012
- Apple TV 4th gen – October 2015
The 3rd generation is over 10 years old now, while the 4th gen launched in 2015. The 4th gen represented a major redesign from earlier versions.
Processor and Performance
The processor (or chipset) determines overall performance and capabilities:
- Apple TV 3rd gen – Single-core A5 chip @ 1 GHz
- Apple TV 4th gen – Dual-core A8 chip @ 1.5 GHz
On paper, the 4th gen‘s A8 processor is over 50% faster in terms of clock speed. It also has two CPU cores vs. just one on the 3rd gen.
In real-world usage, this results in apps launching up to twice as fast on the 4th gen. Games and video streaming have much smoother frame rates. Benchmark tests showed the 4th gen scored over 5500 on Geekbench vs. just 2600 for the 3rd gen – more than double the performance.
The A8 chip is also 64-bit allowing better optimization for complex apps and games.
RAM
RAM determines how many apps and browser tabs can stay active in the background:
- Apple TV 3rd gen – 512MB RAM
- Apple TV 4th gen – 2GB RAM
Again, the 4th gen has a huge advantage – 4x as much RAM as the 3rd generation. This allows you to jump between several apps without slow reloading.
Based on my experience, the 3rd gen struggles to keep even 3 apps in memory. The 4th gen can comfortably switch between 5-6 apps making it much more pleasant to use.
Storage
For built-in storage, the options are:
- Apple TV 3rd gen – 8GB or 64GB flash storage
- Apple TV 4th gen – 32GB or 64GB flash storage
Both provide decent onboard storage. But the 64GB high-end option on the 4th gen gives you more room for large apps and games. For example, some titles like NBA 2K21 take over 10GB of space.
Video and Audio Support
When it comes to video quality, there are major differences:
- Apple TV 3rd gen – Up to 1080p Full HD
- Apple TV 4th gen – 4K Ultra HD + HDR10 and Dolby Vision
The 4th gen supports sharper 4K resolution and advanced HDR for more vivid colors and contrast. For example, watching Planet Earth II in 4K HDR shows much finer details compared to 1080p SDR.
For audio, the 4th gen also supports surround sound formats like:
- Dolby Atmos – immersive object-based audio
- Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 – positional multi-channel sound
When connected via HDMI to compatible soundbars or A/V receivers, you get a theater-like listening experience.
Streaming Quality
Here‘s how the maximum streaming quality compares across popular services:
| Apple TV 3rd Gen | Apple TV 4th Gen | |
| Netflix | 1080p | 4K + HDR |
| Prime Video | 1080p | 4K + HDR |
| Disney+ | 1080p | 4K + HDR |
| Apple TV+ | 1080p | 4K + HDR |
So you get maximum quality streaming across the board with the 4th generation model.
Streaming Codecs
The 4th gen has dedicated hardware decoding support for newer codecs like H.265 HEVC and VP9 which are used for streaming 4K video efficiently. The 3rd gen lacks this so it must tax the CPU more to software decode video.
Connectivity
In terms of physical ports and wireless, each generation has:
Ports
- Apple TV 3rd gen – HDMI, Optical audio, 10/100 Ethernet, Micro USB (service)
- Apple TV 4th gen – HDMI, USB-C, Gigabit Ethernet
The 4th gen swapped some older ports for HDMI and USB-C. USB-C allows for easier cabling and power delivery compared to old Micro USB.
Gigabit Ethernet provides faster wired speeds compared to 10/100 Ethernet on the 3rd gen. This results in snappier download times for games and streaming buffering.
Wireless Connectivity
- Apple TV 3rd gen – 802.11a/b/g/n dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
- Apple TV 4th gen – 802.11a/b/g/n/ac dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
The 4th gen has a faster AC wireless chip versus N standard on the 3rd gen. In real-world tests, this provides nearly 2x faster speeds and greater range from the router. Both models have Bluetooth 4.0.
The latest WiFi 6E standard is not supported on either model. But the 4th gen‘s 802.11ac remains very fast in 2024.
tvOS and App Store
The Apple TV operating system and available apps are vastly different:
- Apple TV 3rd gen – tvOS 5.2 from 2013
- Apple TV 4th gen – tvOS 16.1 released 2022
The 3rd gen runs a very outdated tvOS version and lacks full access to the tvOS App Store. You‘re limited to built-in apps from 2013.
The 4th gen gives you the newest tvOS releases with thousands of apps and games. Exclusive 4th gen apps include:
- Apple Arcade – 100+ games
- Apple Fitness+ – workout classes
- Latest entertainment and streaming apps
You also get Siri voice control on the 4th generation model.
Gaming Comparison
Gaming is a weak point on the 3rd gen due to old hardware. The 4th gen brings a much smoother and richer experience:
- New A8 processor – Up to 2x faster
- 2GB RAM – 4X more memory
- Support for latest Bluetooth game controllers
- Apple Arcade with 100+ optimized titles
Popular demanding games like Oceanhorn 2 and Crossy Road Castle are unplayable on the 3rd gen. The 4th gen runs them smoothly at 60 fps.
Performance Stats
| Apple TV 3rd Gen | Apple TV 4th Gen | |
| CPU Speed | 1 GHz single-core | 1.5 GHz dual-core |
| Geekbench Score | ~2600 | ~5500 |
| Graphics (GFLOPS) | 20 | 90 |
| RAM | 512MB | 2GB |
As you can see, the 4th generation has vastly faster internals resulting in much smoother gameplay.
Siri Remote
The Siri remote that comes with the 4th gen model has been improved in several ways:
- Touch surface for quick navigation
- Motion sensors for gaming
- Built-in microphone for Siri voice
- Rechargeable battery
- Bluetooth connectivity
This provides a quicker and more responsive experience compared to the plain infrared remote on the 3rd generation.
Price Comparison
Since the 3rd gen model is discontinued, you‘ll generally find it cheaper on the used/refurb market:
- Apple TV 3rd gen 32GB (used) – $50 to $100+
- Apple TV 4th gen 32GB (new) – $129
- Apple TV 4th gen 64GB (new) – $149
So while the 3rd generation has a lower upfront cost, the 4th gen delivers far more capabilities and features for just $50-$100 more. It‘s worth investing a bit extra for a modern streaming device you can enjoy for years to come.
Support Lifespan
The 3rd generation model launched in 2012 is considered obsolete by Apple. It no longer receives software updates, new apps, or security patches.
In contrast, the 4th generation from 2015 continues to be supported. It runs the latest tvOS 16 and will get updates for years to come. You can expect at least 3 more years of support based on Apple‘s history.
Accessibility Features
For those needing assistive capabilities, the 4th generation Apple TV supports:
- VoiceOver screen reader
- Zoom magnification
- AssistiveTouch
- Support for switch controls
The 3rd generation has no built-in accessibility features. So the 4th gen is far better suited for users with disabilities.
Parental and Privacy Controls
Both models support parental restrictions to limit content and usage. However, the 4th gen has enhanced privacy controls including:
- Require password for purchases
- Disable tracking and analytics
- Prevent sharing usage data
So it provides more protection especially for kids.
Based on this detailed comparison, I recommend choosing the 4th generation Apple TV over the dated 3rd generation model for several reasons:
- Over 2x faster performance for apps and games
- 4K and HDR video support
- Surround sound with Dolby Atmos
- Gigabit Ethernet and AC WiFi
- Siri voice control
- Full access to tvOS App Store
- Apple Arcade gaming
- Improved Siri Remote
- Ongoing updates from Apple
Unless you only need basic streaming, the 4th gen is well worth the upgrade. It brings way more features, future-proofing, and years of ongoing support. While still cheap, using the decade old 3rd gen Apple TV increasingly limits what you can do as apps abandon it over time.
Upgrading to the latest Apple TV 4K model is highly recommended for a modern, full-featured streaming and gaming experience. For only $50-$100 more, it‘s a very worthwhile investment.
