Streaming Devices / Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) vs Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) vs Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
Apple TV with gigabit ethernet and Thread — the best smart-home hub in the category.
Wins overall by 0.5 points
Quick Verdict
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 0.5 points. Apple TV with gigabit ethernet and Thread — the best smart-home hub in the category.
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) and Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) are both current-generation streaming Device models, and the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) is $50 cheaper than the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) ($199 vs $249). On Connectivity, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) leads (9.0 vs 6.5/10) — Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. On Smart Home, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) leads (9.0 vs 7.0/10) — matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability. On Value, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) leads (4.5 vs 4.0/10) — features and performance relative to price. Overall, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) scores 8.3/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.8/10 for the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi). Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) | Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.00 | $249.00 |
| Release Year | 2022 | 2022 |
| Max Resolution | 4K (2160p) at 60fps | 4K (2160p) at 60fps |
| HDR Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Dolby Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic, 5-core CPU at 2.9GHz | Apple A15 Bionic, 5-core CPU at 2.9GHz |
| RAM (GB) | 4 | 4 |
| Storage (GB) | 64 | 128✓ |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Ethernet | None on this variant | Gigabit (built in) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Operating System | tvOS 26 | tvOS 26 |
| Remote | Siri Remote (3rd Gen), USB-C rechargeable, Siri voice; no backlight; no Find My tracking | Siri Remote (3rd Gen), USB-C rechargeable, Siri voice; no backlight; no Find My tracking |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Speed & Performance
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) and Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) are level here, at 9.5/10 each. processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Video Quality
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) and Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) are level here, at 9.0/10 each. maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Audio Support
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) and Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) are level here, at 9.0/10 each. dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Platform & Apps
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) and Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) are level here, at 9.0/10 each. operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Connectivity
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 6.5 — a 2.5-point margin on Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. If that is what you are buying for, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Remote
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) and Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) are level here, at 7.5/10 each. voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Smart Home
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 7.0 — a 2.0-point margin on matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability. If that is what you are buying for, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) leads clearly here, 4.5 against 4.0 — a 0.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) if…
- • Value matters most to you — the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) scores 4.5/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • You want to spend less — it's $50 cheaper.
Choose the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) if…
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) scores 9.0/10 here (Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports).
- • Smart Home matters most to you — the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) scores 9.0/10 here (matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability).
- • Your main use case is smart-home.
Pros & Cons
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi)
Pros
- +Comfortably the fastest streaming box you can buy
- +tvOS has no ads on the home screen, unlike Fire TV and Google TV
- +Excellent Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos handling
- +Rechargeable USB-C Siri Remote
- +Longest software support record in the category
Cons
- −No ethernet port on this variant — you need the 128GB model for that
- −No Thread radio, so it cannot act as a Thread border router
- −Price rose from $129 to $199 in June 2026, a 54% increase
- −2022 hardware with a successor widely reported as imminent
- −Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6, both behind newer rivals
- −No USB-C cable included in the box
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
Pros
- +Gigabit ethernet plus a Thread border router — the most capable smart-home hub here
- +Comfortably the fastest streaming box you can buy
- +tvOS has no ads on the home screen
- +Double the storage of the 64GB model
- +Excellent Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos handling
Cons
- −At $249 it is by far the most expensive device in this category
- −Price rose from $149 to $249 in June 2026, a 67% increase
- −2022 hardware with a successor widely reported as imminent
- −Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6, both behind newer rivals
- −No USB-C cable included in the box
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) or Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) or the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet)?+
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) scores higher on Connectivity (9.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports.
Which is better for Smart Home, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) or the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet)?+
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) scores higher on Smart Home (9.0/10 vs 7.0/10) — matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability.
Which is better for Value, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) or the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet)?+
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) scores higher on Value (4.5/10 vs 4.0/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Which is better for Speed & Performance, the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) or the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet)?+
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) scores higher on Speed & Performance (9.5/10 vs 9.5/10) — processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond.
Is the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) worth the price difference over the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet)?+
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) is the cheaper option at $199 versus $249. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Connectivity.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) is the better fit if you mainly care about home-theater or 4k-hdr. The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) is the better fit for smart-home.
What's the warranty on the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) vs the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet)?+
The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 64GB Wi-Fi) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Roku Ultra (2024) — $149.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.