Apple TV is a streaming device for watching videos over the Internet.
If you look at the box or find information in the menu of the device, you will see the following information about the model of the device.
Model Number as A1842: This is the model number assigned to this model and contains general information about the device.
Part No. in the form of MQD22LL/A: This is the part number that encodes detailed information about the device modification, memory capacity, color, and connectivity.
There are times when you need to find out what generation and year your Apple TV is. Look for the Apple TV model number on the box, in the menu, or on the device itself, and then use the table below to determine the year and generation of your Apple TV.
Table listing Apple TV models
As of early 2024, there are seven generations of Apple TV and nine models. The table shows the Apple TV model number, the commercial name of the device, and the year of manufacture. If you are interested in the difference between device generations, I will talk about it further.
| Model | Year of release | Model name | Generation |
| A1218 | 2007 | Apple TV 1st gen | 1st gen |
| A1378 | 2010 | Apple TV 2nd gen | 2nd generation |
| A1427 | 2012 | Apple TV 3rd gen | 3rd generation |
| A1469 | 2012 | Apple TV 3rd gen | 3rd generation |
| A1625 | 2015 | Apple TV HD | 4th generation |
| A1842 | 2017 | Apple TV 4K 1st gen | 5th generation |
| A2169 | 2021 | Apple TV 4K 2nd gen | 6th generation |
| A2737 | 2022 | Apple TV 4K 3rd gen Wi-Fi | 7 generation |
| A2843 | 2022 | Apple TV 4K 3rd Wi-Fi + Ethernet | 7 generation |
Apple TV (1st gen)
Apple TV of the first generation, this device was made similar to the popular media players of the time, had a built-in hard disk that allowed you to store movies on it. Today this device is already obsolete, the first devices did not have HDMI output, only analog, later devices were equipped with an HDMI port that supported only HD resolution. The device itself was heavy and consumed 48 watts of power per hour, which at the time was commensurate with the power consumption of a television set.
Apple TV (2nd gen)
The second generation Apple TV, this device was conceptually redesigned and already focused on streaming video, it was mainly aimed at TVs of the time with HD screen resolution. HDMI ports only supported this resolution. Today, such a device is certainly considered obsolete.
Apple TV (3rd gen)
The third-generation Apple TV, released in 2012, was adapted to work with Full HD TVs and supported 60Hz, which provided better video quality.
Apple TV HD
Apple TV fourth generation release 2015, the main difference is the operating system tvOS, it is a modified iOS. Ability to download games and so on.
Apple TV 4K 1st gen
Apple TV fifth generation 2017. Apple decided to use the name Apple TV 4K and start producing a new line of high-resolution devices. The start of production of such a device was due to several factors, namely:
The retooling of most factories to produce screens with 4K resolution instead of Full HD, in 2017 most TVs from leading manufacturers had 4K screens.
The emergence of HDMI 2.0 ports in TVs, which made it possible to transmit high-quality images from a streaming device to the TV in high resolution.
Apple TV 4K 2nd gen
Apple TV sixth generation 2021 Apple TV 4K (2nd generation). A natural upgrade, implemented HDMI 2.1 support, HDR support and audio return. The device is upgraded to get the most out of it when used with modern TVs.
Apple TV 4K 3rd gen Wi-Fi
Seventh Generation Apple TV 2022 Apple TV 4K (3nd Generation). Natural upgrades, better software, better hardware, more performance with less power consumption.
Apple TV 4K 3rd Wi-Fi + Ethernet
Seventh Generation Apple TV 2022 Apple TV 4K+ Ethernet (3rd Generation). A modification with a wired port through which you can connect to the Internet at 1 Gbps. WiFi connection provides speeds of about 9 Gbps (theoretically).
