The Apple TV HD (additionally known as the fourth-generation Apple TV) is not accessible in Apple’s US retailer after the addition of an up to date Apple TV 4K yesterday.

The Apple TV HD debuted in 2015, and it was the primary Apple TV to run tvOS, with its personal App Store. Up till its discontinuation this week, it included a now-aging A8 chip (the one from the iPhone 6). By distinction, the brand new Apple TV 4K has the A15 chip discovered within the iPhone 13; it is dramatically quicker. The 2015 mannequin was additionally the primary to introduce Apple’s controversial touch-based distant, which was radically redesigned in response to consumer suggestions lately.

Apple launched the primary iteration of the Apple TV 4K in 2017, however the firm continued to supply the Apple TV HD alongside it in its retailer as a less expensive choice in comparison with the 4K mannequin, which at present begins at $129—nonetheless far more costly than the dongles and set-top bins most individuals use to stream to their TVs.

At current, you may’t even discover the Apple TV HD in Apple’s refurbished retailer, so this seems to mark the end-of-life for the non-4K Apple TV. It’s not too stunning, although; 4K TVs have been successful. More than half of United States households had a 4K TV as of final summer season, and the proportion has been rising considerably 12 months over 12 months.

While that leaves a number of households nonetheless on HD televisions, we might enterprise a guess that the majority of these are usually not in Apple’s goal market at this level. Apple units are costly and widespread in high-income households and amongst early adopters, precisely the kind you’d count on to have already made the soar to 4K.

4K or not, the Apple TV just isn’t one in all Apple’s extra widespread merchandise (that might be iPhones and AirPods). The firm has invested closely in a TV technique over the previous couple of years, but it surely has seemingly put simply as a lot effort into placing its TV companies on third-party units like sensible TVs and sport consoles because it has on pushing its personal {hardware}. Still, the Apple TV gives some advantages for customers who’re immersed in Apple’s total ecosystem, like direct management with the iPhone and Spatial Audio with AirPods.