Features, settings & updates

[A_P_M]

Can someone from Roku please confirm if the Roku Ultra LT is no longer being "supported" by Roku?  Very mixed messages from across the internet.

1) the Roku website does not show the Roku Ultra LT as a product

2) the Roku store on Amazon is selling a discounted Roku Ultra LT (2023) - as if this is a new version, but the model listed is 4801RW.  So... this is just a refurbished 2021 Roku Ultra LT, correct?

3) Walmart is continuing to sell a selling a discounted Roku Ultra LT, but doesn't list a model number.  Just Manufacturer Part Number: 829610005249.

4) lots of websites and blogs from as far back as 2020 saying the Roku Ultra LT is no longer supported, but then there has been the Roku Ultra LT Model 4801 & 4802 made since September 2021.  So...

If I purchase a Roku Ultra LT in 2024 and Roku is no longer "supporting" that product, what exactly does than mean?  Can certain apps or even Roku features stop working because it lacks a Roku update?

Some clarity from Roku on this product would be greatly appreciated.

[makaiguy · Accepted solution]

Roku has a very bad habit of reusing model names.  Even worse, they and some retailers often refer to the product by a year number, even though the same exact model may be sold for several years, or a retailer may still be selling old inventory.  You really need to know the model NUMBERS to tell them all apart.

Any Roku model that can run under the current Roku operating system release is still supported and will continue to receive updates.  This is true even if it is no longer manufactured and sold as part of the current product line,  Many models are supported 5 or more years after they are no longer considered part of the current product line.

See this Roku Developers Page:

Currently manufactured and supported:
Ultra LT 4800X

No longer manufactured, but can run the latest Roku OS (i.e. "still supported"):
Ultra LT 4662X

Note that this page does not seem to list minor last-digit product number variations.

When a device is obsolete and can no longer run the current Roku operating software version, it is considered a "Legacy" device.   It will not update beyond the last Roku operating system version it can run.  It will continue to operate and run its current channel apps until the point that any given channel app no longer supports that older operating system and/or requires features and capabilities added in later models.

There are no Ultra models at all on the current Legacy list.

[A_P_M]

Thank you makaiguy,

You've added more than a few pieces to the puzzle.  Even, as you've pointed out, there's still confusion on model names, year numbers, and from retailers.

I'm very new to the Roku "family," so having these details helps.

Thanks again.