Nvidia Shield Comparison Chart

by makhay

I created this chart as I could not find one that had all the models and differences. Let me know if there are any issues.

Spec 2019 Pro 2019 2017 Pro 2017 2015 Pro 2015
RAM 3GB 2GB 3GB 3GB 3GB 3GB
Processor Tegra X1+ Tegra X1+ Tegra X1 Tegra X1 Tegra X1 Tegra X1
HD 16GB SSD? 8GB SSD? 500GB Hybrid 16GB SSD 500GB Hybrid 16GB SSD
Remote New Backlit New Backlit Battery Battery Rechargeable Rechargeable
SD Slot No MicroSD MicroSD No MicroSD Micro SD
USB 2x A - 3.0 None 2x A - 3.0 1x MicroUSB 2x A - 3.0 2x A - 3.0 1x MicroUSB 2x A - 3.0 1x MicroUSB
HDR HDR10 + Dolby Vision HDR10 + Dolby Vision HDR10 HDR10 HDR10 HDR10
IR Receiver No No Yes No Yes Yes
Ethernet Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bluetooth 5.0 5.0 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1
Upscaling "AI" "AI" Standard Standard Standard Standard
Dimensions (HWD and Weight (HWD) 98 x 159 x 25.93 mm 250 g 40 x 40 x 165 mm 137 g 130 x 210 x 25 mm 654 g 98 x 159 x 25.93 mm 250 g 130 x 210 x 25 mm 654 g 130 x 210 x 25 mm 654 g
Codecs Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10 - DD+/Dolby Atmos decode + List Below Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10 - DD+/Dolby Atmos decode + List Below DD+/DTS (pass-through) + List below DD+/DTS (pass-through) + List below DD+/DTS (pass-through) + List below DD+/DTS (pass-through) + List below
Unique/Oddities Tube form factor, different power cable, only supports 32bit apps.

Whats the same?

  • HDMI:2.0b
  • Codecs: HEVC, VP9
  • Audio Codes: AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, MP3, WAVE, AMR, OGG Vorbis, FLAC, PCM, WMA, WMA-Pro, WMA-Lossless, Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD (pass-through), DTS-X and DTS-HD (pass-through)
  • Format/Container support: Xvid/ DivX/ASF/AVI/MKV/MOV/M2TS/MPEG-TS/MP4/WEB-M
  • Android 9
  • Resolution: 4K 60FPS
  • 40 W power adapter (5-10 W typical consumption) *(2019 unsure)
  • Chromecast 4K

Should you upgrade?

  • If you want Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10, DD+/Dolby Atmos decoding, "AI" upscaling, bluetooth 5.0, smaller form factor; don't need MicroSD or MicroUSB slots, an IR receiver; than sure - upgrade.
  • While performance is touted as being 25% more powerful - benchmarks don't say the same.
  • Avoid the tube if you want to host a plex server, run 64 bit apps (like dolphin emulator), or use a USB port,
  • The remote will soon be available as a standalone purchase for $29.99 in January.

Sources:

makhay

The more i am learning about the tube - the more I think it should have been $99.

JBMacGill

At the very end your spec dimensions for the 2015 non-pro are wrong. The non-pro has the same physical dimensions as the pro.

feignapathy

This makes the 2017 Pro seem like it's still the best. The 2019 Pro just wasn't much of an upgrade it looks like. Smaller HD. Fewer ports.

donsmith2060

except the 2019 non pro has ethernet

DrVagax

Shield Pro 2019 can run 64 bit apps, Shield 2019 cannot

makhay

Can someone confirm if both of the 2019 versions use an SSD?

vs40at

It would be nice to see real power consumption comparison in different modes.

getupgetgoing

No Shield is able to play VP9 P2, meaning Youtube 4K HDR, Google Movies and soon Google Stadia 4K HDR games. According to the following video, Nvidia is lying about the bluetooth version, it is not 5.0.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhvHp8uK3Dk

bruteMax

Seems like they giveth, and they taketh away.

Ekos640

There's no IR receiver on the 2019 Pro, only 2015 models ever had it.

ShortFuse

Are all the power connections and power consumptions the same? Edit: Seems like, except for 2019 non-Pro connector.

Also, Shield TV Pro has Dolby Atmos decoding. I believe all 2019 ones do.

2015-2017 Specs: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/specs/

2019 Specs: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/shield-tv/

2019 Pro Specs: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/shield-tv-pro/

Edit: 2019 also decodes Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus.

jason22internet

The chart says that the 2019 Pro has "3.0" in the USB row. It should probably say, "2x A - 3.0" like elsewhere in the chart.

Great chart!

SlackBlade

2019 Pro does not have IR and I had to pick up a FLIRC to use my Harmony with it.

bees-_-knees

2019 shield pro can run Plex server, 2019 shield tube can only run Plex client.

pazdemy

Amazing graph but still undecided whether the get the the 2015 or 2019 for an emulator/entertainment all in one.

lament

"Standard" upscaling? There's no upscaling on the 2015-2017 versions. Also I would cross-reference this chart .

redditor1101

Well I guess my 2015 version has aged well

malarie

Is it better to have an embedded Android TV or a Nvidia shield? I own a Sony Bravia Android TV, and it has the exact same layout as the nvidia shield. Or is the nvidia shield the best/cheapest way to to have a smart tv?

THE_Celts

I just bought my first Shield, have been eyeing it for a while. I was all set to buy the 2017 when the 2019 was announced, so I was struggling with which one to get.

Getting a used 2017 w/the game controller for less than the 2019 Pro (the tube was never considered) without was tempting. Especially given that I've read the old unit runs as fast & well as the new one. I'm skeptical about the AI upscaling, but at the end of the day I decided to go with the newer model (ordered just before Amazon sold out). I really don't game that much, and getting the new remote (which I would have picked up anyway), peace of mind of having a new unit w/warranty was worth the extra coin in my judgement.

That said, if I already had the 2015 there's no way I would have upgraded. Both 2019 models both seem to be 50.00 overpriced IMO. And for 200 you should still get the controller.

Arriving tomorrow and psyched to set it up!

metalfacemark

Thank you for this. What i would say, having 2 older Shields, the performance on them is not comparible with the 2017 version, ive benchmarked them both and they come some way short for some reason. Both have performance mode on so its a little bit weird.