New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

[MacRumors]

A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device.

Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors.

Rumors

Faster Wi-Fi Support

The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports Wi-Fi 6E, which would be an upgrade over the current Apple TV's standard Wi-Fi 6 support. Wi-Fi 6E extends the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz band with a compatible router. This can contribute to faster Wi-Fi speeds and lower latency compared to Wi-Fi 6.

The chip might even support Wi-Fi 7 instead, which can provide peak theoretical speeds of over 40 Gbps, a 4× increase over Wi-Fi 6E.

Newer Chip

The current Apple TV is powered by the A15 Bionic chip, which debuted in all iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro models in 2022. It is very likely that the next Apple TV will have a newer chip, such as an A18 or A19 chip, and this would result in faster overall performance and potentially even Apple Intelligence support on tvOS.

FaceTime Camera and Gesture Controls

tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for video calls with the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad. If the Apple TV gained a built-in camera, users would no longer need to rely on an external device for video calls on the TV.

In April 2024, Gurman said Apple had "discussed" offering an Apple TV with a built-in camera for FaceTime and gesture-based controls, but it is unclear if Apple is moving forward with that plan for the next model in particular. He did not elaborate on the gesture aspect, but it sounds like the next Apple TV would recognize various hand movements.

Apple says tvOS 26 enhances FaceTime in several ways — fitting for an Apple TV with a camera:

With tvOS 26, users can enjoy a more personalized FaceTime experience that's consistent with iOS. Contact Posters on Apple TV make it easier and more personal by displaying a contact's customized photo and name when starting a FaceTime call on Apple TV. Live Captions expand to include French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish, enabling Apple TV to use on-device intelligence to display Live Captions for FaceTime conversations, so users can follow what's being said in even more languages. Additionally, FaceTime audio and phone call notifications will appear onscreen for the active profile, allowing users to answer on connected HomePod speakers or their iPhone, and ensuring that communication with loved ones remains at the forefront.

Lower Price

On the same day as the current Apple TV was announced in October 2022, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that he expected the next Apple TV to be "more affordable." He said that a sub-$100 price would be the "sweet spot" for the Apple TV, but he did not say if Apple will actually achieve that price point.

Both the 2010 and 2012 versions of the Apple TV were priced at $99 in the U.S. at launch, and Apple eventually lowered the price of the 2012 model to $69, so there is precedent for a sub-$100 Apple TV. Other companies like Amazon and Roku offer low-priced streaming sticks, with sale prices going as low as $19.99.

In the U.S., the current Apple TV starts at $129 with 64GB of storage, and a 128GB model with an Ethernet port for wired internet is priced at $149.

Timing

The next Apple TV will be released "toward the end of the year," according to Gurman. If so, it is likely that the device will launch in September or October, but November or December cannot be entirely ruled out at this point.

Here is when the previous four Apple TV models were announced:

• Apple TV 4K (3rd generation): October 2022
• Apple TV 4K (2nd generation): April 2021
• Apple TV 4K (1st generation): September 2017
• Apple TV HD: September 2015

Read our Apple TV roundup for more details.

Article Link: New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

 

[DocMultimedia]

I’ll be buying immediately. I’ve got the 4k 1st gen. A little sluggish, but still ok.

Macrumors has almost become Mac Rumors of Rumors. /s?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Lower Price

Believe it when I see it.

I think they are more likely to go with a more gimped ATV "normal" model and then have ATV "Pro"

(I don't even know what they could do to gimp it more, but Tim is very creative when it comes to this...)

 

[nikhsub1]

Apple TV hardware is such an underrated device IMO. It works very well and is fairly inexpensive.

 

[Plutonius]

I like the lower prices but see no compelling reason to replace my Apple TV.

 

[tornadowrangler]

Still using the non-4K version. Will upgrade when I get a 4K tv I guess, but I don't see that happening any time soon.

 

[npmacuser5]

No reason to replace my Apple TV. No issues on the hardware side.

 

[xyz01]

If the increased speed is used for something nice, like better upscaling - great.

Putting a camera on the device is useless. Not only due to "why would I use it?", but also due to the devices not exactly being positioned to give good/any picture from a built in camera. A better suggestion would be to enable usb connected webcams.

 

[Reason077]

I think they are more likely to go with more gimped ATV "normal" model and then have ATV "Pro"

Already the situation with the current model.

The cheap 64GB model has no Ethernet and no Thread/Matter support. 128GB version gets you these “pro” features.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Already the situation with the current model.

The cheap 64GB model has no Ethernet and no Thread/Matter support. 128GB version gets you these “pro” features.

Yep!
I edited my post to say "more gimped" .. maybe while you were replying, sorry.

 

[Reason077]

Putting a camera on the device is useless. Not only due to "why would I use it?", but also due to the devices not exactly being positioned to give good/any picture from a built in camera. A better suggestion would be to enable usb connected webcams.

The camera positioning doesn’t matter much with the new wide-angle FaceTime cameras. Like on the M4 Macs, the camera can follow you around the room regardless of positioning.

Nobody wants a USB webcam with extra wires etc laying about. Yuck.

 

[jimimac71]

Having a camera is going to require proper placement of the device to be useful.
Most probably don't think having Safari would be useful, unless you watch videos from the Internet Archive.
Someone will probably say, "just get a Mac mini."
I only want an iPad which does not format to 16:9 for television.

 

[JohnC1959]

The camera positioning doesn’t matter much with the new wide-angle FaceTime cameras. Like on the M4 Macs, the camera can follow you around the room regardless of positioning.

Nobody wants a USB webcam with extra wires etc laying about. Yuck.

I personally could see a USB webcam being an advantage. No visible wires because they'd be behind the TV. I'd like a webcam on top of the TV to give a larger room view for when there's a group and maybe some dogs or kids playing. It would be easier to precisely position just a webcam.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The camera positioning doesn’t matter much with the new wide-angle FaceTime cameras. Like on the M4 Macs, the camera can follow you around the room regardless of positioning.

Nobody wants a USB webcam with extra wires etc laying about. Yuck.

I don't know how it could work if it's part of the device.

Mine are all behind my TVs.

A wireless camera peripheral would be a good idea.

 

[F4C4]

Just remove the FaceTime camera, include a router for WiFi mesh and call it the Apple Airport TV

 

[JohnC1959]

Just remove de FaceTime camera and include a router for mesh WiFi and call it the Apple Airport TV

Not the same device. Behind or below a TV is a terrible location for a wireless router -- won't reach nearly as far. Personally I don't like combo devices. I like to pick the best for each need as tech evolves.

 

[jz0309]

Lower price is good.
Camera, I suppose most people don't really see their ATV when sitting in front of their TV so ...

 

[dwaltwhit]

If the increased speed is used for something nice, like better upscaling - great.

Putting a camera on the device is useless. Not only due to "why would I use it?", but also due to the devices not exactly being positioned to give good/any picture from a built in camera. A better suggestion would be to enable usb connected webcams.

My atv is hidden behind my tv. A camera makes no sense for me. It seems they could add connectivity for cameras

 

[Student of Life]

Just let it be strong enough to play Resident Evil 4 remake and other games of that nature.

 

[XboxEvolved]

Definitely interested. Never had an Apple TV might get this. I’ve used them before and they seem to be the best by far.

 

[HaHaRich!]

Kind of surprised they aren’t bundling the rumor of an upgraded AppleTV with the rumors of the next phone supporting 8K video recording. Moving to a new chip is honestly a cost saving measure; A15 is made on a 5nm production line, and TSMC is getting ready transition to 2nm. Using a 3nm
Chip means more chips per wafer, and TSMC is unlikely to keep pumping out the old chips much longer so they can upgrade the old production lines for 2nm.

Mind, I don’t get the feeling there is a big push on the screen resolution just yet, but with Apple’s relatively big push into sports (F1, soccer, NFL and MLB partnerships, the ever present ESPN/Disney relationship), at some point it seems like it’s got to be on the bingo card. I mean, at the very least, it’s a flashy marketing badge, the chip can handle it, and AI & Metal are baked into the silicon for upscaling. 🤷‍♂️

 

[rubaxter]

The camera positioning doesn’t matter much with the new wide-angle FaceTime cameras. Like on the M4 Macs, the camera can follow you around the room regardless of positioning.

Nobody wants a USB webcam with extra wires etc laying about. Yuck.

Does that 'new wide-angle FaceTime Camera' go around 90 degree turns and angle down, because mine is mounted on the wall with the 'On' light pointed towards the ceiling.
Also, why should I be forced, TESLA STYLE, to pay for tech and apps I will never use, like Space Karen's Failed Self-Driving hardware?

 

[TVreporter]

I’m still on the 2nd gen - never had any issue and really don’t see any need to update.

But I’m guessing sooner than later TV OS will “require a newer device.”

 

[turbineseaplane]

I’m still on the 2nd gen - never had any issue and really don’t see any need to update.

But I’m guessing sooner than later TV OS will “require a newer device.”

Now we're talkin'

That's "Cookin' with Tim" right there..

 

[ItchyRat2160]

If they wanted to put an M1 or M2 in it, then they could have a nice little games console on their hands.