New Apple TV Rumored to Launch Next Year With These Features

[MacRumors]

The current Apple TV 4K was released more than two years ago, so the streaming device is becoming due for a hardware upgrade soon. Fortunately, it was recently rumored that a new Apple TV will launch at some point next year.

Below, we recap rumors about the next-generation Apple TV.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last week reported that Apple has been working on its own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip that will roll out in multiple devices next year, including new Apple TV and HomePod mini models. He said the chip will support 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, enabling faster wireless speeds and reduced signal interference with a compatible device and router.

No major design changes have been rumored for the next Apple TV specifically, but Gurman said Apple has considered adding a built-in camera to a future model. tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for users to have video calls by using 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.

Unsurprisingly, the next Apple TV is also expected to be equipped with a newer chip for faster performance. The current Apple TV is equipped with the A15 Bionic chip that debuted in the iPhone 13 models in 2021. Apple has released several newer A-series chips since then, including the A16 Bionic, A17 Pro, A18, and A18 Pro.

The next Apple TV could have lower pricing. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that the next model could have a sub-$100 starting price. In the U.S., the current Apple TV is available with 64GB or 128GB of storage for $129 and $149, respectively.

It is unclear exactly when in 2025 the new Apple TV would launch. Here is when the previous five Apple TV models were announced:

• Third-generation Apple TV 4K: October 2022
• Second-generation Apple TV 4K: April 2021
• First-generation Apple TV 4K: September 2017
• Apple TV HD: September 2015
• Third-generation Apple TV: March 2012

Read our Apple TV roundup for more details.

Article Link: New Apple TV Rumored to Launch Next Year With These Features

 

[EugW]

Meh. Hopefully there is more to it than that.

If that is all there is to it, then it really does need a price cut.

 

[Spock]

Keep it as is and drop the price $30 on both models, done.

 

[icanhazmac]

Patiently waiting versus buying a > 2 year old version.

 

[thadoggfather]

Patiently waiting versus buying a > 2 year old version.

if you get on a sale, I say go for it though.

I got 2nd generation ATV 4k when these recent 3rd ones came out couple years ago, one for a decent price just before release of the new one and another for a steal from Costco handful of months after I think for like $80 or something. It still operates essentially the same as the current latest ones despite being pretty old (May 2021 was release date apparently of these, from a quick google search)

Got a latest, 3rd gen 128GB over BF for $99 (wanted ethernet)

 

[EugW]

Keep it as is and drop the price $30 on both models, done.

Nah. Update the CPU and/or increase the storage, and drop the price.

 

[mrr]

The Apple TV works, but it is a pretty boring product.

 

[kaishockz]

The Apple TV works, but it is a pretty boring product.

What do you expect from a product which does what it should ?

You wanna watch tv/movies/ show , you dont need fancy stuff on your tv.

 

[JOLoughlin]

Based on this it sounds like the chip upgrade is just because it is economical for Apple to make more Apple TVs with newer chips. Theres no real performance strain on tvOS is there? Which questions what is the future of tvOS and Apple TV hardware?

 

[NightFox]

Nah. Update the CPU and/or increase the storage, and drop the price.

Why? To CPU and storage? Serious question, not trolling.

 

[wanha]

Trying to get the device under $100 and adding a camera are mutually exclusive goals...

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Nah. Update the CPU and/or increase the storage, and drop the price.

Increase the storage for what? To install a another 75mb streaming app?

These could have 16gb storage and no one would notice any difference.

 

[Chiromac81]

Most unnecessary update for an Apple product ever-the current box works fine for what it is supposed to do.

 

[vantelimus]

No mention of Apple Intelligence support for Siri in the  TV? It is a HomeKit hub. It should get upgraded Siri support.

 

[centauratlas]

I'd like them to add 8K output too, but I doubt that will happen.

 

[Rychiar]

Most unnecessary update for an Apple product ever-the current box works fine for what it is supposed to do.

yup. my parents are still using my original Apple TV HD and my original 4k. they work great... I've personally had more issues with the newest model... even had the power button fall right outta the remote lol. and the thread radio in it is terrible

 

[VisceralRealist]

The bulit-in camera rumor still makes no sense to me.

 

[jz0309]

My 2nd gen is doing just fine, no performance issues …

 

[Aquamite]

I hope Hi-Res Audio support

 

[icanhazmac]

Based on this it sounds like the chip upgrade is just because it is economical for Apple to make more Apple TVs with newer chips. Theres no real performance strain on tvOS is there? Which questions what is the future of tvOS and Apple TV hardware?

Not that I can speak intelligently about such things but I believe the next gen was supposed to have hardware based acceleration for video? Perhaps someone else can chime in.

 

[sw1tcher]

Nah. Update the CPU and/or increase the storage, and drop the price.

Update CPU, leave base storage at 64GB, increase RAM from 4GB to 6GB or even 8GB (for AI) *and* lower starting price to $89 or $99

 

[bodonnell202]

Will be (mildly) interesting to see which way this goes. I see it one of two ways:
1. Basic update to A16 and new Apple WiFi & Bluetooth chip. No new features besides WiFi 6E (and potentially lower price). Biggest issue here is that only A17 and newer support AV1 and I doubt that they would release a new Apple TV without AV1 support
2. Update to A18 (maybe A17 Pro) and new Apple WiFi & Bluetooth chip. Add WiFi 6E, AV1 and Apple Intelligence support (not sure what specific features would be on the Apple TV, but they'd come up with something so they can market how the Apple TV has advanced AI features). Price decrease much less likely in this scenario.

 

[MrGimper]

Patiently waiting versus buying a > 2 year old version.

Just bought one to replace a Fire Stick for streaming and Plex.

Saved a few quid so happy to purchase.

 

[brijazz]

Does anyone keep their Apple TV in a location where having a camera would make sense?

 

[greenbreadmmm]

Would be cool if they use the A18 hardware to focus on better upscaling since we don't need of any of the AI feature sets on the phones