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Apple TV 4K Adds Standard Ethernet at $299

Apple's fourth-generation Apple TV 4K includes built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7 at a $299 price point.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Consumer Electronics

Small charcoal set-top box on an oak media console with a black Ethernet cable running to a wall jack in a bright living room.
Apple released its fourth-generation Apple TV 4K with built-in Ethernet at $299, a $100 increase over the previous entry-level model. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you pay $299 for a streaming box with standard Ethernet?

Apple released the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K with standard Ethernet connectivity, priced at $299. The device costs $100 more than the previous entry-level model.

Why it matters

Ethernet provides a wired connection that avoids interference from physical objects that can disrupt Wi-Fi. The change restores a feature that was dropped from the base model in 2022.

The device includes an A19 chip with a built-in AV1 decoder and supports Thread and Wi-Fi 7, with network connections capable of reaching 1 Gbps. Apple did not report independent benchmark results for the new hardware in the extraction.

The players

Apple

Apple is a California-based technology company that designs consumer electronics, software, and services, including the Apple TV line.

The details

The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K can function as a smart home hub and supports Thread. Ethernet allows the device to connect directly to a router, and the Apple TV automatically switches away from Wi-Fi when a wired connection is present.

Timeline

  1. 2022: The third-generation Apple TV dropped Ethernet from its base model.

  2. June 2026: The price of the previous generation's entry-level model increased.

  3. November 7, 2026: The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K was released.

The Tech Race

The return of standard Ethernet to the base Apple TV reverses the 2022 decision by the third-generation model to drop it from the entry configuration. The move positions the fourth-generation device against competing streaming hardware that has long included wired networking.

Buyers who want a wired connection now get Ethernet in the $299 base model instead of paying an extra $50 for it. Anyone streaming on crowded Wi-Fi may see fewer interruptions by connecting the device directly to a router.

The takeaway

Connecting the Apple TV to a router with Ethernet can reduce buffering caused by Wi-Fi interference, so buyers should weigh the wired option against their home network layout before purchase.

Further reading

Explore more Consumer Electronics coverage for context on streaming hardware and home networking trends.

Source note: This article includes information reported by SlashGear.

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Would you pay $299 for a streaming box with standard Ethernet?