Hi everyone,
I’m making a product for a school project that is similar size and similar in materials to an Apple TV 4K. I have to research what materials I will use and what the carbon emissions are etc. This is all provided by Apple, however an expected lifespan is nowhere to be found, and I need that for my product analysis. Was wondering if there is an estimated number for this, or if it’s different for everyone?
Thanks in advance :)
at this point it should never wear out, it life span is near forever for tech. 4k, HDMI, Wi-Fi 5, Etherne, the video Files are all going to still be usable and in use 20 years from now. its low power so I doubt heat will ever get to the components. Software support is up to apple.
it’s a luxury item, so most will get upgraded and sold/out of use in 5 years I think.forever
Well put it this way the 2012 ATV3 still receives the odd update for atv+, app support has dwindled somewhat though.
The 2015 ATV4(renamed the ATVHD in 2021) is the first of the more recent tvOS firmware models and that’s still very much receiving updates and for the most part UI wise functions the same as the ATV4K models.
The macrumors buyersguide might also be helpful for your project in terms of release schedule of new models! (Go to the watch/other tab and scroll down)
The remote control uses a lithium ion battery like the iPhone. However the battery in a new Apple TV remote control lasts around 3 months on a charge. So it would not hit the 500 or 1000 cycles for a very long time. Though the Apple TV 4 and 4K came with a glass remote control that could easily be broken if dropped on a hard floor. Though Apple does sell replacement remote controls if that happens and they can be controlled by your iPad, iPhone, or Apple Watch. The second and third generation Apple TV 4K come with an updated remote that is less fragile. I did about a year come across one reddit post about those wearing out fast, but haven’t seen something like it since and have used my second gen 4K since it came out and the remote control is still working like new.
What’s your definition of lifespan here? Is it lifespan for the hardware to the point it’s physicially deteriorated? OS support? App support?
Yeah I could have been more clear on this I’m sorry. I think I’m most interested in knowing about the lifespan of the hardware, until the product is not really usable anymore. Not sure if this is the right place to ask but I’m not sure where else to look
I think the physical lifespan is a lot. Like it has no batteries, so just the silicon and capacitors all which have a theoretical lifespan of 25-30 years. It becomes obsolete by software way before that according to the app support Apple provides and how quick the industry moves forward, say 8k TVs make 4k Apple TV boxes obsolete and stuff.
FWIW my 8 yo AppleTV (Gen 4) is still running fine, People complain about Apple’s prices, but they do tend towards higher quality products as they aren’t chasing the lowest price. I have an older ATV (gen 2/3) that I am pretty sure still runs, but that pre-dates the app model so theres a functionality gap that caused us to stop using it.
I have had mine for three years and to me it’s good as new. Not sure yet 😂.