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What to Expect From the Next Apple TV

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Apple is working on an updated version of the Apple TV, and rumors suggest that we could see it before the end of the year. We've rounded up all of the rumors on the features that we could see with the new model.


  • New A-Series Chip - The next-generation Apple TV is expected to get an updated A-series chip. The Apple TV could get the prior-generation A17 Pro, the current A18 series chips, or the A19 chips that are coming with the iPhone 17 lineup. With any of these chips, the Apple TV will support console-quality games thanks to much improved CPU and GPU performance.
  • Apple-designed Wi-Fi Chip - Apple is developing its own communications chip that combines Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, reducing its reliance on Broadcom. Apple's chip is expected to feature either Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, so either way it will work on the 6GHz Wi-Fi band. Users can expect faster Wi-Fi speeds and lower latency.
  • A Camera? - This is far from guaranteed and we haven't heard anything about it for quite some time, but there have been rumors suggesting that a future version of the Apple TV could have a front-facing camera for FaceTime. Right now, the Apple TV requires a connected iPhone for FaceTime calls, but if a built-in camera is added, an iPhone wouldn't be needed. A camera could also add support for gesture-based controls.
  • tvOS 26 - The next-generation Apple TV will run tvOS 26, the latest version of tvOS that Apple is beta testing right now. tvOS 26 has the new Liquid Glass design, changes to the Apple TV app interface, easier profile selection when logging in, Live Captions for FaceTime, and new aerial screensavers. There's also an option to use an iPhone as a microphone with the Apple Music Sing karaoke feature on the Apple TV.
  • Pricing - There's a possibility that Apple will cut costs for the next Apple TV, and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that Apple is targeting a price point around $100. If Apple uses the latest chips, it might not be able to hit that price with the flagship model, but there could be a lower-end entry-level option that's more affordable.
Apple could release the new Apple TV model as soon as September at its iPhone-centric event, but a new Apple TV could also be held until a second event in October or November.

For more on the next Apple TV 4K, we have a dedicated rumor guide that receives regular updates.

Article Link: What to Expect From the Next Apple TV
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/07/29/apple-tv-4k-2025-rumor-recap/
chargerinthebox said:
if this is a wishlist, please add audio passthrough to the list
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This. All I want is for my Apple TV to be able to export lossless audio. Bonus for high-res lossless audio.

Okay, one more thing: I’d also like to be able to easily use it as a streamer (lossless, of course) but control it from my phone so that I do not need to turn the TV on. None of this should involve AirPlay; rather, the ATV itself should pull and stream the lossless file.
 
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So primarily a spec bump and lower price, seems reasonable.
The camera though, not sure how much value it would add. I'm one of the seemingly many who have their ATV in a location where the camera would be "hidden", and then there are folks who have an ATV in the bedroom, hmmm
 
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routine_analyst said:
Don't most people have the box in a cabinet or behind a tv? Why would you put a camera on the front of it? Just give the option to connect a USB cable and camera.
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Exactly — the camera rumor always seemed bizarre to me for this reason. Everyone I know hides these in a cabinet. I have seven of them, and all seven TVs are wall-mounted with no visible cables or boxes. I’m not about to change that for the Apple TV.
 
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chargerinthebox said:
if this is a wishlist, please add audio passthrough to the list
Click to expand...
Using a Devialet Dione, it's annoying to see how my Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen messes up handshakes (when waking up Apple TV) between the soundbar and TV on a daily basis. Hoping for Audio Passthrough with the next version as well which might improve this. The Sound of the Dione is absolutely stellar and truly rocks my living room in every aspect - when it actually plays, that is, instead of the squeaky speakers of my Philips Ambilight 65OLED809 TV which play accidentally way too often.
 
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If I was a betting person, I would guess either the A18 or A19 chip. If they want the most margins, I would go with the A18 series. This gives them the room for AI stuff and the GPU for gaming.

Plus, with Apple getting into sports, having full HDMI 2.1 support would be an easy add for higher refresh rates. The camera option, I see this being an accessory and not in the actual TV. USB-C option?
 
Jay-Jacob said:
For me I would like them keep ethernet port cos I 100% need it get reliable connection. Hopefully price won't be too much.
Click to expand...
That i agree upon. I hope the Ethernet connector supports the faster Cat 6 or 6a connection for up to 10 Gbps speeds, especially now with more and more users on fiber Internet (and soon DOCSIS 4.0 Internet).
 
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