What the Apple TV 4K Ethernet port does that other streamers can’t

But one of my favorite features of the Apple TV 4K — specifically the $149 128GB model — is its Ethernet port, which lets you connect it directly to your router for a faster, more reliable internet connection. So if your Wi-Fi is spotty at times, or you just want to avoid any potential connection hiccups while streaming, Ethernet can be an extremely valuable upgrade, and I think paying the extra $20 for the Ethernet-equipped Apple TV 4K is well worth it.

That said, while an Ethernet port itself isn’t unique to the Apple TV 4K — streamers like the Roku Ultra and Fire TV Cube also include one — what makes the Apple TV 4K’s Ethernet port stand out is the rare upgrade it brings. It’s an upgrade that, in my view, actually makes the Ethernet port on the Apple TV 4K worth using, compared to the Ethernet ports you’ll find on most streamers and pretty much every smart TV.

The Apple TV 4K’s Ethernet port is actually fast

It’s all thanks to Gigabit

While most smart TVs and set-top streamers include an Ethernet port, many are severely underpowered. In other words, they’re quite slow.

How can this be? Well, on many smart TVs and set-top streamers, the Ethernet port maxes out at just 100 Mbps. This is often referred to as 10/100 Ethernet or “Fast Ethernet,” which, in actuality, isn’t all that fast anymore.

However, the Apple TV 4K is an outlier in this case, as it features a Gigabit Ethernet port, which is 10x faster than 10/100 Ethernet, offering speeds up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps).

This means the Apple TV 4K’s Gigabit Ethernet port delivers a noticeably smoother streaming experience compared to the relic that is 10/100 Ethernet. Naturally, this 10x-faster Ethernet port on the Apple TV 4K makes a difference: whether you’re downloading apps, streaming, or pulling content from a home media server like Plex or Jellyfin, the extra bandwidth is game-changing.

Put simply, the Apple TV 4K’s Ethernet port is actually worth using because it’s Gigabit. I really can’t say the same for any device with a 10/100 Ethernet port, mainly because newer Wi-Fi standards, such as Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7, can easily outperform a 10/100 Ethernet port in terms of speed, provided your router and the connection you get from your ISP are good enough.

Quiz

8 Questions · Test Your Knowledge

Apple TV
Trivia Challenge

Think you know your Apple TV history inside out — put your knowledge to the ultimate test!

HistoryHardwareSoftwareFeaturesStreaming

Begin

In what year did Apple first introduce the original Apple TV?

A2005B2006C2007D2008

Correct! The original Apple TV was unveiled by Steve Jobs in January 2007 and began shipping in March of that year. It was initially codenamed ‘iTV’ before Apple settled on its final name.

Not quite. The first Apple TV was announced in January 2007 and started shipping in March 2007. Steve Jobs introduced it at Macworld, describing it as a way to bring your iTunes library to your television.

Continue

What was the storage capacity of the original first-generation Apple TV at launch?

A20GB or 80GBB40GB or 160GBC8GB or 16GBD64GB or 128GB

Correct! The original Apple TV launched with either a 40GB or 160GB hard drive, as it was designed to store synced media locally from your iTunes library. This was before streaming became the dominant model.

Not quite. The first Apple TV came with either a 40GB or 160GB internal hard drive. Because it was designed to sync content from iTunes rather than purely stream it, local storage was a key part of the original design.

Continue

What major redesign did Apple TV receive in 2010 that dramatically changed its form factor?

AIt became a dongle that plugged into the HDMI portBIt shrank to a tiny puck-shaped device and dropped local storageCIt was integrated into an Apple-branded television setDIt gained a built-in Blu-ray drive

Correct! The second-generation Apple TV launched in 2010 was a dramatic departure — it shrunk to a tiny black puck and completely removed the internal hard drive, shifting fully to streaming. It also dropped the price to just $99.

Not quite. The 2010 Apple TV (2nd generation) was reimagined as a tiny black puck-shaped device that removed local storage entirely, relying on streaming instead. Steve Jobs famously called the original a ‘hobby’ before this pivotal redesign.

Continue

What is the name of the operating system that runs on Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K?

AiOSBmacOSCtvOSDiPadOS

Correct! tvOS is Apple’s dedicated operating system for the Apple TV platform, first introduced alongside the fourth-generation Apple TV in 2015. It’s based on iOS but optimised for the living room experience.

Not quite. Apple TV runs tvOS, a purpose-built operating system Apple introduced with the fourth-generation Apple TV in 2015. While it shares a foundation with iOS, tvOS is specifically tailored for big-screen, remote-controlled navigation.

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Which fourth-generation Apple TV feature allowed users to install third-party apps for the first time?

AAirPlay 2 supportBThe App Store on Apple TVCSiri Remote integrationDHomeKit hub functionality

Correct! The fourth-generation Apple TV in 2015 introduced the App Store to the platform, finally allowing developers to build and distribute apps directly to the TV. This was a landmark moment that transformed Apple TV from a streaming box into a proper platform.

Not quite. The App Store was the defining new feature of the fourth-generation Apple TV launched in 2015. For the first time, users could download games, streaming apps, and utilities directly onto their Apple TV, opening it up as a true app platform.

Continue

Which chip powers the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) released in 2022?

AA12 BionicBA14 BionicCA15 BionicDM1

Correct! The third-generation Apple TV 4K, released in November 2022, is powered by the A15 Bionic chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 13 series. This gave it a significant performance boost and enabled smooth 4K HDR playback.

Not quite. The 2022 Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) uses the A15 Bionic chip. Apple often reuses chips from its iPhone lineup in Apple TV, and the A15 offered a meaningful performance improvement over the A12 found in the previous model.

Continue

Apple TV+ launched as a streaming service in November 2019. What was notable about its launch pricing in many markets?

AIt was completely free for all Apple device owners foreverBIt was priced higher than Netflix to signal premium contentCIt launched at $4.99/month and offered a free year with new device purchasesDIt was bundled exclusively with an Apple TV hardware purchase

Correct! Apple TV+ launched on 1 November 2019 at just $4.99 per month, making it one of the most affordable streaming services at launch. Crucially, Apple also offered a free one-year subscription to anyone who purchased a new Apple device.

Not quite. Apple TV+ launched at $4.99 per month and sweetened the deal by offering a free year of the service to anyone buying a new Apple device. The aggressive pricing was seen as Apple’s strategy to rapidly build a subscriber base for its fledgling original content library.

Continue

What is the name of Apple’s feature that allows iPhone users to use their phone as a camera source through Apple TV?

AHandoff CameraBContinuity CameraCFaceTime RelayDAirCam

Correct! Continuity Camera, introduced with tvOS 17, allows users to use their iPhone as a webcam for FaceTime calls on their Apple TV. It takes advantage of the iPhone’s superior camera hardware for a much better video calling experience on the big screen.

Not quite. The feature is called Continuity Camera, and it was introduced with tvOS 17. By wirelessly connecting an iPhone to Apple TV, users can enjoy high-quality FaceTime video calls on their television using their iPhone’s powerful camera system.

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Why is Gigabit Ethernet rare on streamers?

It’s an easy corner to cut, unfortunately

Despite being around for more than 25 years, Gigabit Ethernet is still surprisingly rare on streaming devices and practically nonexistent on smart TVs. Outside of the Apple TV 4K, only a handful of streamers actually include it, such as the Google TV Streamer and the Nvidia Shield TV Pro.

So the big question is: if Gigabit Ethernet is 10x faster than 10/100 Ethernet, and has existed for over two decades, why do so few streaming devices support it?

In my view, there are two main reasons. First, it’s an easy cost-cutting measure. Since most people now rely on Wi-Fi, manufacturers know many users may never plug in an Ethernet cable at all, making the port an easy place to cut corners to save money. Second, there’s the argument that 100 Mbps Ethernet is “good enough,” since most streaming services only need about 25 Mbps for 4K streaming.

Personally, I don’t really buy either argument.

If I’m spending over $500 on a smart TV or more than $100 on a streamer, I don’t think Gigabit Ethernet is asking for much. It’s a standard that’s been around for a quarter of a century, and nearly every modern PC and game console already has it. There’s no good reason higher-end TVs and streaming devices shouldn’t have Gigabit as well.

And while it’s true that 100 Mbps is technically enough for Netflix or Disney+, that completely ignores how some people use these devices today. Apps like Plex and Jellyfin can easily exceed 100 Mbps when streaming large, high-bitrate 4K files from a home server. Cloud gaming is also becoming more common thanks to services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming, and a faster Gigabit Ethernet connection absolutely helps deliver a smoother experience there, too.

At the end of the day, it’s 2026, and Gigabit Ethernet really should already be the standard on streaming devices and smart TVs. It’s significantly faster and more reliable, and it better future-proofs the hardware people are likely to use for years. I’m glad Apple recognized that with the Apple TV 4K, including Gigabit Ethernet on the 128GB model.

A new Apple TV 4K is coming

It’s shaping up to be worth the wait

One last thing worth mentioning is that a new Apple TV 4K is expected to launch later this year, with rumors pointing to upgraded hardware and new Apple Intelligence features. So if you’ve been holding off on picking up an Apple TV 4K, this refreshed model might be the one worth waiting for. As for timing, reports suggest it could land in the fall, after Apple rolls out its revamped Siri with iOS 27.