Heralded as a "revolutionary experience" based on apps for the television, the Apple TV 4th Gen (Apple TV HD) looks quite similar to the models before it, but runs an all new "tvOS" that is based on the iOS but has its own third-party app library for the potential of a wide variety of native apps and games rather than just a small number of pre-installed "channels" like earlier Apple TV devices.

The Apple TV 4th Gen originally included a black "Siri Remote" (A1513, EMC 2677) that includes Siri voice command support, a glass surface for precise navigation, and an accelerometer and gyroscope for advanced game controller options, similar to the controller pioneered by the Nintendo Wii. However, on April 20, 2021, Apple released a new configuration of this model bundled with an improved silver-colored "Siri Remote" with a touch-enabled "clickpad control that offers five-way navigation" and an outer ring that works as a "jog control" for quick scene selection. It also has a microphone for use with Siri, but it lacks the accelerometer and gyroscope provided by the earlier remote.

The Apple TV 4th Gen (Apple TV HD) is powered by a dual core Apple A8 processor, has 2 GB of RAM, and is offered with either 32 GB or 64 GB of internal flash memory storage (64 GB option discontinued September 12, 2017). It is capable of supporting 1080p video, but not 4K video.

Connectivity includes HDMI, 10/100Base-T Ethernet, a single USB-C port "for service and support" (and potential hacking), and 802.11ac wireless networking as well as Bluetooth 4.0. It does not have an optical audio out port.