Siri Remote

The Siri Remote (and Apple TV Remote) are wireless controller devices that are included with the Apple TV HD and 4K models (4th generation and later).

1st generation (black)
Both remotes feature 6 buttons and a trackpad. The Siri Remote can be distinguished by a white outline around the Menu button. The Apple TV Remote (without the white outline) is included with Apple TV models sold in regions where Siri is not available. Otherwise, the two models are virtually identical. They use Bluetooth 4.0 for touch-based navigation, (IR) for the volume buttons, and a Lightning port for charging. An and  are built in for use with games.

Criticism and alternatives
Some users prefer the physical direction buttons of the preceding Apple Remotes over the glass surfaces of the Apple TV Remote or Siri Remote, which are more prone to breakage. The Apple TV Remote feature can also be enabled in Control Center to allow an iOS or iPadOS device to function as a Bluetooth-based remote for smart TVs that support AirPlay 2, as well as the 3rd-generation Apple TV or later. A third party remote from of Switzerland can be set up to control Apple TVs, but models with Bluetooth need to be unpaired from any other remotes first.



2nd generation (aluminum)
On April 20, 2021, Apple announced the 2nd-generation Apple TV 4K with updated Siri Remote, which resembles the previous aluminum Apple Remote. The touch sensitive clickpad supports gestures and it is backwards compatible with previous Apple TV 4K and HD models.

Articles

 * Compared: Apple's second-generation Siri Remote versus its predecessors by Malcolm Owen at AppleInsider (2021-05-03)
 * Les petits secrets de la seconde Siri Remote by Pierre Dandumont at Le Journal du Lapin (French, 2021-04-27)