What’s the difference between the Roku Ultra 2019 (4670R) and Ultra 2020 (4800R)?

Roku released a new Ultra streaming player in 2020 with the 4800R. So, how does the new model compare to the 2019 Roku Ultra (4670R)?

You can find out in this comparison guide between the two versions.

Quick Summary

When compared to the Roku Ultra 2019 (4670R), the Roku Ultra 2020 (4800R) comes with a high-speed HDMI cable along with the newer HDMI 2.0b port.

Roku also added Bluetooth streaming, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and HLG support in the 2020 version.

For USB playback, the new model adds support for AC-4 with Atmos, AV1, DD+ (EAC3) with Atmos, HEAAC and VP9.2 codecs.

Not to mention that the Ultra 2020 has a faster CPU and better wireless coverage.

The only advantage the 2019 version has over the newer release is that the older model comes with a microSD card slot that you can use to store more digital channels.

Roku Ultra 2019 vs. Roku Ultra 2020 Comparison Chart

You can check out Seeking Tech’s comparison table between the two Ultras below.

What’s in the Box

With the 2020 version of the Ultra player, Roku replaced the JBL headphones from the 2019 model with generic headphones.

The newer model also comes with a high-speed HDMI cable.

You can check out what’s included in each box below:

Roku Ultra 2019 (4670R):

• Roku Ultra
• Voice remote control
• JBL headphones
• Two AA batteries
• Power adaptor

Roku Ultra 2020 (4800R):

• Roku Ultra
• Voice remote control
• Headphones
• High Speed HDMI Cable
• Two AA batteries
• Power adaptor

Weight

The 2020 version weighs a lot less when compared to the 2019 release.

You can find the weight specifications below:

• Roku Ultra 2019: 8.0 ounces
• Roku Ultra 2020: 5.9 ounces

Dimensions

The newer model does have a larger footprint and is thicker when compared to the older model.

You can find the measurements for both media players below:

• Roku Ultra 2019: 4.90” x 4.90” x 0.85”
• Roku Ultra 2020: 5.90” x 4.90” x 1.00”

CPU

The Roku Ultra 2019 is equipped with the ARM Cortex A53 while the Roku Ultra 2020 is equipped with the ARM Cortex A55.

The newer ARM Cortex A55 is considered to be better performing and more power efficient than the older ARM Cortex A53.

RAM

Both streaming devices come with 2 GB of RAM.

Accelerated Graphics API

The two Roku Ultras also use OpenGL ES 2.0 for accelerated graphics API.

Supported HDTV Resolutions

When it comes to supported HDTV resolutions, both players support 1080p with upscaling from 720p.

Supported 4K UHD TV Resolutions

The two products also support 4K at 60Hz in addition to being able to upsacle from 720p and 1080p.

HDR

With the 2020 Ultra, Roku added support for Dolby Vision at 60Hz and HLG. Both the new version, as well as the 2019 model, support HDR10.

You can find the full breakdown of supported HDR features below:

Roku Ultra 2019:

• HDR10

Roku Ultra 2020 (4800R):

• Dolby Vision (at 60Hz)
• HDR10
• HLG

Copy Protection Requirement

The two streaming players require that your television set supports HDCP 2.2 copy protection.

Audio Features

The Roku Ultra 2020 is the only media player out of the two to directly support Dolby Atmos as the Roku Ultra 2019 only supports Dolby Atmos through HDMI pass through.

You can find the full lists of audio features for both products below:

Roku Ultra 2019 (4670R):

• Digital stereo over HDMI
• Dolby Atmos HDMI pass through
• Dolby Audio HDMI pass through
• DTS Digital Surround HDMI pass through

Roku Ultra 2020 (4800R):

• Digital stereo over HDMI
• Dolby Atmos over HDMI (requires Dolby Atmos compatible devices)
• DTS Digital Surround HDMI pass through

Networking

When it comes to connecting to the Internet, you can use either the 802.11ac MIMO dual-band Wi-Fi or 10/100 Base-T Ethernet wired connection.

According to Roku, the 2020 version has up to 50 percent more wireless range when compared to the 2019 version.

Ports

With the Ultra 2020, Roku removed the microSD card slot that was present in the 2019 model. The slot is used to store additional channels.

The only other difference is that the Ultra 2019 comes with a HDMI 2.0a while the Ultra 2020 comes with the newer HDMI 2.0b port.

You can find the list of ports included for each media player in this versus guide below:

Roku Ultra 2019 (4670R):

• Power
• HDMI 2.0a
• Ethernet 10/100
• microSD
• USB

Roku Ultra 2020 (4800R):

• Power
• HDMI 2.0b
• Ethernet 10/100
• USB

USB Video Playback Codecs

When it comes to video playback over the USB port, Roku added support for the AV1 and VP9.2 codecs with the 2020 version of the Ultra.

You can find the full lists for both streaming players below:

Roku Ultra 2019:

• H.264/AVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
• H.265/HEVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
• VP9 (.MKV)

Roku Ultra 2020:

• AV1 (.MP4, .MKV)
• H.264/AVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
• H.265/HEVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
• VP9.2 (.MKV)

USB Audio Playback Codecs

For audio, Roku also added support for the AC-4 with Atmos, DD+ (EAC3) with Atmos and HEAAC codecs to the Ultra 2020.

You can check out the list of supported audio codecs below:

Roku Ultra 2019:

• AAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
• ALAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .M4A)
• AC3/EAC3 (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AC3)
• DTS (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
• FLAC (.FLAC, .MKV)
• MP3 (.MP3, .MKV)
• PCM (.WAV, .MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
• WMA (.ASF, .WMA, .MKV)

Roku Ultra 2020:

• AAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
• AC3/EAC3 (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AC3)
• AC-4 with Atmos (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AC4)
• ALAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .M4A)
• DD+ (EAC3) with Atmos (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
• DTS (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
• FLAC (.FLAC, .MKV)
• HEAAC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV, .AAC)
• MP3 (.MP3, .MKV)
• PCM (.WAV, .MKV, .MP4, .MOV)
• WMA (.ASF, .WMA, .MKV)

USB Image Playback Formats

For viewing images over USB, both devices support JPG, PNG as well as non-animated GIF.

Other Features

When it comes to other features, both products support lost remote finder, which lets you easily locate your remote control by pressing a button on the media player.

The two products also feature voice control and voice search in addition to private listening (which means that you can plug in the included headphone into the remote control).

An exclusive feature that was added to the Roku Ultra 2020 is the ability to stream audio over a connected Bluetooth device.

You can check out the lists of features for both media players in this comparison guide below:

Roku Ultra 2019:

• Lost Remote Finder
• Private Listening Through Remote
• Voice Control
• Voice Search

Roku Ultra 2020:

• Bluetooth Streaming
• Lost Remote Finder
• Private Listening Through Remote
• Voice Control
• Voice Search

Compatible Virtual Assistant

Both of the Roku Ultra versions are compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Power Consumption

Both devices consume less than 4.5W (typical) when you are streaming a 4K video.

Power Input

The 2019 and 2020 versions of the Roku Ultra use the same 12V – 1.5A power adaptor.

Resources:

• https://www.roku.com/products/roku-ultra
• https://developer.roku.com/docs/specs/hardware.md