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Apple unveiled a new Apple TV 4K at its "Spring Loaded" event. Nearly four years after its original release, the company unveiled the new set-top box with the A12 chip, a new Siri Remote, and HDMI 2.1 support for a better 4K HDR experience.
As MacRumors discovered The new Apple TV 4K is the first Apple TV to support HDMI 2.1, the new standard that enables refresh rates of up to 120 Hz. However, Apple is currently advertising that the new TV box can only stream at a refresh rate of 60 Hz.
The new Apple TV 4K comes with an HDMI 2.1 port instead of an HDMI 2.0a port and offers support for 4K 60 fps HDR video output. Recently found code in tvOS 14.5 suggested that the new Apple TV could support 4K 120Hz output but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Apple TV 4K 2021: Does Apple want to save 120Hz support for tvOS 15?
Well speculated 9to5Mac that support for 120Hz could be reserved for WWDC in order to introduce 120Hz Apple Arcade titles with tvOS 15. The US blog writes:
It is likely that the company is saving the 120Hz refresh rate feature to introduce it with tvOS 15 at WWDC 2021. With 120Hz support, gamers and sports lovers could benefit from a smoother picture while playing real-time games or watching live sports.
Of course, anyone wanting to take advantage of a 120Hz refresh rate, should it come to the new Apple TV 4K, would also need a TV with HDMI 2.1. That's not the case for most of us, as HDMI 2.1 TVs have only been on shelves since this year. In addition to HDMI 2.1, the new Apple TV 4K also supports WiFi 6, the latest WiFi standard, and Thread, which is becoming increasingly convenient for smart homes.
Deliveries will start in the second half of May
Along with HDMI 2.1, the new Apple TV supports 802.11ax WiFi 6 with MIMO. Apple has introduced WiFi 6 support in its latest devices. WiFi 6 is the latest and fastest WiFi protocol available, with improved speeds, expanded network capacity, lower latency, better power efficiency, and improved performance in locations with many smart home devices. The Apple TV 4K is the second Apple device, after the HomePod mini, to have built-in Thread support. Thread is a low-power networking technology that provides a secure, mesh-based system that can connect to other Thread-enabled smart home devices for enhanced connectivity.
The new Apple TV 4K will be available from just 199 euros. Apple will be accepting pre-orders from April 30th. According to Cupertino, delivery will begin in the second half of May. (Image: Apple)
