No, Apple TV 4K outputs up to 4K60; it doesn’t support 120Hz video.
Refresh rate shapes how motion looks on your screen. Shoppers weigh this when choosing a streamer or TV, and the box from Apple is no exception. Here’s the straight answer: every Apple TV 4K generation tops out at 60 frames per second at 4K. You still get crisp HDR, clean motion with the right settings, and smooth sports at 60 fps. Below, you’ll find what each model can do, why 120Hz isn’t on tap, and the setup tweaks that keep motion and color in line.
Apple Tv 4K Refresh Rate: 60Hz Vs 120Hz Reality
All Apple TV 4K models output up to 4K60 in HDR. The 2021 and 2022 units moved to HDMI 2.1 ports, yet the spec sheet still lists a 4K60 ceiling. That means no native 4K at 120 fps from the box. Your television may accept 120Hz from a console or PC, but this streamer won’t send it.
Model-By-Model Snapshot
The table below shows the HDMI version, top output, and HDR formats across generations. It’s the quick view you’ll want during setup or troubleshooting.
| Model | HDMI Version | Max Output & HDR |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Apple TV 4K | HDMI 2.0a | Up to 4K60; HDR10 & Dolby Vision |
| 2021 Apple TV 4K | HDMI 2.1 | Up to 4K60; HDR10 & Dolby Vision |
| 2022 Apple TV 4K | HDMI 2.1 | Up to 4K60; HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision |
You can confirm the 4K60 ceiling and supported HDR formats on Apple’s own pages; see the Apple TV 4K tech specs. Newer units also list QMS (Quick Media Switching) to cut black-screen delays when apps switch frame rate; that feature doesn’t add 120Hz output.
Why The Box Stops At 60Hz
The hardware is tuned for video playback rather than high-refresh competitive gaming. Most streaming apps deliver movies and shows at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps. Driving 4K at 120 fps would raise bandwidth demands across the chain—encoder, app, streamer, cable, and TV—without a library of 120 fps streams to match. Apple keeps output at 4K60 and relies on frame-rate matching to preserve creative intent for film and sports feeds.
Film Cadence And Motion
Many movies arrive at 24 fps. With frame-rate matching on, the box flips output to 24 Hz for those titles. That beats 60 Hz pulldown and keeps pans smooth. Live sports and many shows arrive at 50 or 60 fps, so a steady 60 Hz output fits them well.
How To Dial In The Right Modes
Two settings matter for smooth motion and stable color: Match Content and Chroma. Get these right and you avoid judder, handshake hiccups, and odd HDR shifts.
Match Content: Frame Rate And Range
Open Settings → Video and Audio → Match Content. Switch on “Match Frame Rate” so the box follows the source frame rate, and switch on “Match Dynamic Range” so HDR plays in HDR while SDR stays SDR. A brief blank screen during the handoff is normal. Apple documents both switches here: Match frame rate and range.
Chroma And HDMI Limits
On older receivers or TVs with HDMI 2.0 ports, set chroma to 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 at 4K HDR. Full 4:4:4 at 4K60 HDR can push an HDMI 2.0 link past its limit. Streaming video is encoded 4:2:0 anyway, so you’re not losing detail with that selection. If both ends are HDMI 2.1, 4:2:2 at 4K60 HDR usually sails through without a hitch.
Cables And Ports That Avoid Headaches
Use certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cables for long runs or if you see snow, dropouts, or switching hiccups. Plug the streamer into the TV’s top-bandwidth HDMI input; those ports often carry eARC, ALLM, or other perks that help the rest of your gear. If you route through a receiver, keep cable runs short and high grade.
What 120Hz Still Helps With
A 120Hz TV panel can still help even when the streamer sends 60 Hz. Extra refresh cycles reduce sample-and-hold blur and can improve motion clarity. Many TVs also handle 24-fps films cleanly at 120 Hz by repeating frames evenly. That looks smoother than old 60 Hz pulldown tricks. If you own a console or gaming PC, send those sources at 120 Hz directly to the TV while the Apple box handles streaming at 60 Hz on another input.
Gaming On tvOS: What To Expect
Apple Arcade titles on tvOS target 60 fps. That’s responsive for casual play with a Bluetooth controller, and the newer A-series chips keep frame pacing tight at that rate. If you want high-refresh play, plug your console or PC into a 120 Hz HDMI input on the TV. Keep the streamer on its own port and let the TV handle input switching.
Check Your Setup: Step-By-Step
Seeing banding, color shifts, or stutter? Use this quick flow to spot the weak link and bring things back in line.
Quick Wins For Motion And HDR
- Turn on Match Frame Rate and Match Dynamic Range.
- Pick 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 chroma at 4K HDR on HDMI 2.0 gear.
- Use an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, especially for long runs.
- Plug into the TV’s best HDMI port; check the label near the jack.
- Update firmware on the TV, receiver, and the streamer.
Receiver In The Middle?
Try a direct run to the TV to isolate the issue. If the problem disappears, the receiver may be on an older board, a limited HDMI input, or a cable that can’t hold 4K60 HDR with the chosen chroma. Swap inputs, shorten cable runs, or drop chroma one notch.
Identify Your Model
Not sure which box you own? Apple’s model list shows the year, HDMI version, and HDR support so you can match settings to hardware. Also handy when buying used gear or gifting an older unit.
Specs, Standards, And Real-World Choices
HDMI labels help, but the sender still chooses the outgoing signal. HDMI 2.1 supports far higher bandwidth than HDMI 2.0a, yet the streamer’s limit is 4K60. Pick displays and receivers with headroom, then set expectations by the streamer’s sheet rather than the port name alone.
HDR Formats Across Generations
The 2022 unit adds HDR10+ alongside HDR10 and Dolby Vision. That pairs nicely with TVs that prefer dynamic metadata. Even with that upgrade, the top refresh rate stays the same: 60 Hz at 4K.
Model Timeline And Buyer Advice
If you have the 2017 box, you already get 4K60 with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. The 2021 unit adds Wi-Fi 6 and Thread for smart-home gear. The 2022 unit brings HDR10+ and QMS to reduce black-screen delays when switching frame rate. None of these changes raise the refresh limit, so base your purchase on features, storage, and app speed rather than hopes for 120 Hz output.
Upgrade Checklist
- Need HDR10+ for a recent TV? The 2022 unit adds it.
- Want Wi-Fi 6 or Thread for accessories? The 2021 unit brings both.
- Chasing smoother streaming menus? Newer chips help with that feel.
- Using eARC for audio? Check which HDMI port on your TV carries it.
Reality Check: Streaming Frame Rates
Most premium movies and shows stream at film-like rates or at 60 fps. Live sports from many apps land at 60 fps in HDR. Until services ship 120 fps streams at scale, a 4K60 streamer is a clean match for the catalog. Use frame-rate matching so the output follows the source, and let the TV do the rest.
How To Verify What You’re Getting
Need a quick proof test? Pick a movie with a slow pan and watch for cadence issues with Match Frame Rate on, then off. On-screen info panels in many TVs show the incoming signal; open that while you start a film, then jump to a 60 fps clip. You should see the input switch from 24 Hz to 60 Hz with matching enabled. If it doesn’t switch, check the app, the cable chain, and your receiver settings.
Advanced Notes For Power Users
QMS: What It Does
Quick Media Switching reduces the blink when switching between frame rates that share the same resolution and color format. It doesn’t raise the cap to 120 Hz and it doesn’t change image quality; it just trims the delay during a rate switch.
ALLM, VRR, And Consoles
Auto Low Latency Mode can help with TV game modes. Variable Refresh Rate is a gaming feature for consoles and PCs. The box doesn’t output VRR signals. For gaming, send your console or PC to the TV’s 120 Hz input and keep streaming on another port.
Table: Model Features And Buyer Notes
This late-section table recaps features in a buyer-friendly view, with a simple verdict for each owner type.
| Model | Standout Feature | Who It Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Apple TV 4K | HDR10 & Dolby Vision at 4K60 | Owners of 4K HDR TVs who don’t need HDR10+ |
| 2021 Apple TV 4K | HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 6, Thread | Smart-home fans and heavy streamers |
| 2022 Apple TV 4K | HDR10+ added, QMS support | Viewers with newer TVs that favor HDR10+ |
When To Stick, When To Switch
Happy with streaming and app speed? Keep your current box and fine-tune settings. Want HDR10+ or snappier menus? Step up to the 2022 unit. Chasing 120 Hz movies from this streamer isn’t a path to success today. Pair it with a 120 Hz TV for cleaner motion, then feed 120 Hz from a console or PC when you want that feel.
Bottom Line For Buyers
The streamer delivers sharp 4K HDR at up to 60 fps with smooth frame-rate matching. If your wish is 120 Hz output from the box, that isn’t part of the spec. Use a 120 Hz TV for better motion handling, route high-refresh gaming sources straight to the TV, and let the Apple box do what it does best—clean, reliable 4K60 streaming.
Tip: For specs and setup switches straight from the source, see the Apple TV 4K tech specs and Apple’s guide to Match frame rate and range.