Here's What's Coming in the 2026 Apple TV

[MacRumors]

There are a lot of folks waiting for a new version of the Apple TV because the set-top box hasn't been updated since 2022. There is an update coming this year, but people will need to wait a bit longer because Apple is holding the next Apple TV until the new version of Siri comes out this fall.

Design

Apple TV design updates don't happen often, and that's not changing in 2026. The next Apple TV is going to have the same squircle shape as the current model, and it'll continue to be made from a black plastic material.

We're expecting the 2026 Apple TV to be indistinguishable from the existing Apple TV on the exterior, with no changes to size or design.

New Chip

The Apple TV 4K is going to get a new A-series chip, and that'll be the biggest upgrade. Rumors suggest Apple is planning to use the A17 Pro that was first introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro models.

Compared to the A15 Bionic in the current Apple TV, the A17 Pro is a solid update, and it's a good reason to hold off on buying the current model. The A17 Pro is built on a 3-nanometer process for faster speeds and better efficiency, and it has hardware-accelerated ray tracing for higher-quality graphics in games.

The A17 Pro is the oldest chip Apple makes that supports Apple Intelligence, and it's also used in the iPad mini 7.

Given that Apple has held the Apple TV update for so long, it's possible it'll get an even newer chip like the A18 or A19. A RAM update is possible too, especially if the Apple TV has any kind of Apple Intelligence support.

Apple Intelligence and Siri

The next Apple TV is ready to launch, but new Siri features are the holdup. Apple wants to release the Apple TV with the smarter version of Siri that's in the works, and it's not ready to go.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the Apple TV is linked to "new artificial intelligence features" that Apple has postponed until iOS 27, which is coming in September 2026. Apple intended to launch the Apple Intelligence Siri features in spring 2026, but the company was still experiencing issues with Siri. At this point, we're not going to see new Siri capabilities until iOS 27, which also means a delay for all the devices that Apple is holding.

Along with the Apple TV, the rumored home hub and a new version of the HomePod are waiting on Siri.

Updated Siri features may require more RAM and a faster chip, so if you want the smarter Siri on the Apple TV, that's another reason to wait before making a purchase.

Wi-Fi

The Apple TV could get Apple's N1 networking chip with Wi-Fi 7 support. Wi-Fi 7 works with the 6GHz band offered by newer routers.

6GHz connectivity is faster and less congested, which you want for a device designed for streaming content.
Bluetooth and Thread

The Apple TV 4K could get Bluetooth 6 for connecting devices like controllers and earbuds.

Apple's N1 chip also supports Thread, so the Apple TV will be able to continue to serve as a Thread border router and a Matter hub for smart home devices.

Pricing

There have been rumors of a price drop, so it's possible Apple has plans for a cheaper Apple TV.

Apple could release two models, one that's higher-end and one that has lower specs and a lower price tag, or it could keep the existing Apple TV around as a low-cost option.

Launch Date

Since the new version of Siri has been pushed to iOS 27 and the Apple TV is tied to that update, we're likely not going to see the Apple TV refreshed until September 2026 at the earliest.

Article Link: Here's What's Coming in the 2026 Apple TV

 

[maxfromdenmark]

I’m not sure about price drop when everything is getting more expensive and this story with chips and RAM shortages…. I’ll be happy if the new Apple TV will cost exactly the same as the current one.

 

[k1121j]

Since it just got thicker I’d imagine now’s the time to add the new feature ( it’s thinner) that’s how it usually works with all the other products.

Also who cares about Siri I don’t buy the Apple TV to use SIRI, dumb reason to hold out longer.

 

[SeaFox]

Seems presumptuous to prefix "Apple TV" with a year in the article title. Safer to just call it the "next" Apple TV.

 

[Populus]

Since it just got thicker I’d imagine now’s the time to add the new feature ( it’s thinner) that’s how it usually works with all the other products.

Also who cares about Siri I don’t buy the Apple TV to use SIRI, dumb reason to hold out longer.

But the new chip is a great reason to hold out longer. The GPU performance is much bigger, plus the extra RAM, will benefit gaming and applications other than just watching Netflix.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

But will it include AuraCast?

 

[Bkxmnr]

Release it now Apple! Add Siri later. It's not rocket science.

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

My ATV4K died a couple of weeks ago and I had no choice but to get the current model as a replacement. Absolutely no buyers remorse

 

[Karllake]

A dual boot Mac mini neo / Apple TV combo would be a great product.

 

[HenryAH]

But will it include AuraCast?

Yes, I would also like to see AuraCast, but only if it allows a dual mode, i.e. AuraCast would work when I walk into a room playing Apple TV, but it would not turn off the regular sound system, so my wife would continue to hear it. I have wanted a dual mode for my AirPods Pro2 with the hearing aid activated for the Apple TV, but have not seen it yet.

 

[davebarnes]

Don't care about Siri.
Don't care about price. I will replace our 3 Apple TV boxes over time.
Just want a faster box.

 

[texag76]

from what I have read via Gemini the new Siri and AI will finally allow for a meaningful AI driven " what to watch and suggestion " service on Apple TV. It will allow for using Siri to find a show based on your viewing history and some very generic questions and ( NOT Netflix as usual ) will work across most streamers . Hopefully it can finally allow for AI to be integrated into the home TV viewing . HUGE improvement and a big step into a real home automation world .

 

[lcseds]

They shouldn't wait on Siri. That might be a long time waiting.

 

[Mr. Nice]

That's all well and good:

A faster processor you don't need, a better GPU you won't even notice.
And a Siri you don't use.

How about something simple… something more people would actually use… like a Safari browser on Apple TV?🥳

 

[InVinoVeritasty]

What big chips you have! "The better to spy on you, my dear"

 

[S.B.G]

As far as the physical design of the box goes I am 99% happy with it. It's small and visually disappears into the background of the room.

The only issue I have is the intensely bright little white LED. I usually put black electrical tape over it.

I would like to see Apple change that to a red or orange LED like electronics used to have back in the day. The white and blue LED's companies use today are too bright and distracting due to the wavelength of the color.

 

[shootingpandas]

… it’s not a squircle 🙄🙄🙄

 

[bozzykid]

from what I have read via Gemini the new Siri and AI will finally allow for a meaningful AI driven " what to watch and suggestion " service on Apple TV. It will allow for using Siri to find a show based on your viewing history and some very generic questions and ( NOT Netflix as usual ) will work across most streamers . Hopefully it can finally allow for AI to be integrated into the home TV viewing . HUGE improvement and a big step into a real home automation world .

Never in my life have I needed AI to tell me what to watch. I'm not going to start now.

 

[Homme]

But the new chip is a great reason to hold out longer. The GPU performance is much bigger, plus the extra RAM, will benefit gaming and applications other than just watching Netflix.

Not to mention because the A8/2GB TV HD is still getting tvOS 26 you can expect the A17 Pro version to receive a ton of tvOS updates

 

[marco114]

I've got (3) 4K Models with the old touch remote which the wife hates. I've been holding off on the new one for over a year now. I am about to just go buy a Roku or Google TV. I am tired of waiting.

 

[Jack Burton]

Man, I would have bought the heck out of a refreshed model around christmas last year. Sep 2026 seems like a long time to wait.

 

[Crom!]

None of this maters for me if it doesn't come with pass through audio

 

[Spokeyourname]

Needs to have audio up-sampling so everything coming out is 24/192 or DSD. If they do nothing on the audio front, I'll keep what I have. A new chip & siri isn't going to enhance my TV watching experience.

 

[Jetson]

As far as the physical design of the box goes I am 99% happy with it. It's small and visually disappears into the background of the room.

The only issue I have is the intensely bright little white LED. I usually put black electrical tape over it.

I would like to see Apple change that to a red or orange LED like electronics used to have back in the day. The white and blue LED's companies use today are too bright and distracting due to the wavelength of the color.

I agree. For years I've been annoyed by that bright white LED. And changing the color is a great idea.

I would like a control in Settings to allow adjusting the brightness and the color.

 

[guzhogi]

I'm still interested in seeing an HDMI stick version of an AppleTV. Without the need for a screen, a keyboard, or even ports outside the HDMI port and maybe a USB-C port for power (and maybe restoring the OS on it), I could see it getting pretty tiny. Not sure if they could maybe also make a variant of it into something like a "Mac nano" or something, too.

Would prefer at least an A18, like the MacBook Neo, but whatever.

Edit to add: I'd also like to see an AppleTV/homepod soundbar hybrid. That would be kinda cool, too. Add in a webcam for FaceTime, Google Meets, and Zoom, and that would be pretty amazing!