New Apple TV Still Launching This Year

[MacRumors]

Apple is still on track to release a new Apple TV model later this year, according to a reliable source speaking to MacRumors.

According to a source familiar with the company's plans, Apple is highly likely to replace the current Apple TV 4K with a new model later this year. The current model will be discontinued.

Today's Apple TV 4K came out in 2022, featuring the A15 Bionic chip, support for HDR10+, and a tweaked Siri Remote with a USB-C port for charging. Apple does not refresh the Apple TV's hardware frequently, releasing a new model around every three years. This 2022 model is the newest and only Apple TV in the company's product lineup.

The new model is expected to feature a newer chip, support for Wi-Fi 7, and an Apple-designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip for the first time, allowing Apple's smart home devices to work better together and synchronize data faster. The next-generation Apple TV could also be less expensive, with Apple aiming to lower prices to make the device more competitive, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple is widely expected to debut a new version of the Apple TV in late 2025, between September and December. The latest information suggests that this is still the case, with internal moves related to the device's release continuing.

Related information suggests that Apple is also likely to replace the second-generation HomePod this year.

Article Link: New Apple TV Still Launching This Year

 

[orbital~debris]

Oh good! 🤗 I am waiting, mostly patiently, for the new Apple TV hardware.

 

[tomtad]

Release it with an Apple designed game controller

Print money

 

[DonkeyWonkey]

LOL no it’s not.

 

[hagar]

Why is it expected to include WiFi 7? Did the HomePod 2 not get downgraded to WiFi 4?

 

[Dr McKay]

Release it with an Apple designed game controller

Print money

Seems like a costly thing to make for such a niche use, especially when it supports Xbox and PlayStation controllers already. Microsoft apparently spent $100M designing and testing the Xbox One controller.

 

[kiranmk2]

Release it with an Apple designed game controller

Print money

Won't happen any time soon

• Apple TV works with all the major console controllers and the excellent 3rd party (e.g. 8bitdo) controllers
• Even if Apple includes an A19 chip
  • It will still likely struggle to produce acceptible AAA game image quality and frame rate/times on a 4k display
  • The flash storage would likely be mostly filled up by 1 AAA game
• If Apple bumped the specs to an M4 chip & 256 GB storage - that's called a Mac Mini and costs $599

 

[zaxxon72]

If they'll finally put a beeper in that damn remote, it's an instant 'shut up and take my money' situation!

 

[kiranmk2]

I think this release will show whether Apple have basically run out of ideas for the Apple TV. If its just a spec bump (new A-series chip, Apple WiFi/bluetooth chip) and TvOS26 as per the beta then it's not good news.

I'd expect to see a new Apple TV/TvOS 26 receiving Apple Intelligence/new Siri including the ability to handle Apple Intelligence queries from Homepods on the same network (i.e. add AI to existing Homepods/Apple TVs on the network without having to launch new versions with A18-level ML chips).

I'd expect Apple to offer an AI solution for discovering new content via complex queries; perhaps limited to Apple TV+ at first, but then expanding to other sevices via an API (or a system wide version that knows what subscriptions you've got and makes recommendations based on the content available to you).

Uncompressed audio passthrough/bitstreaming is something that a lot of the hardcore fanbase are looking for, which Apple could tie to the new model and in 2025, is there really any excuse for not shipping a full bandwidth HDMI 2.1 port and feature set (4K120, VRR etc)? Perhaps a new version of Airplay, supporting higher bandwidth too (which would give people a reason to buy an Apple TV rather than rely on AirPlay 2 built into their TV).

I'd also like support for controlling homekit lights based on screen content (the lighting reflects what is on the screen) in the same way as the Hue Play app does (but with out the high cost) including support for calibrating lighting strips that go around the sides of the TV for Ambilight-based effects.

 

[bigchrisfgb]

If they'll finally put a beeper in that damn remote, it's an instant 'shut up and take my money' situation!

You’d think that it would have a U1 chip so that the remote can be found with ‘find my’.

 

[richpjr]

I wonder if they will keep the same 64GB and an uncharge for 128GB storage options.

 

[JohnRckr]

“New.”
6 years the same

 

[555gallardo]

Release it with an Apple designed game controller

Print money

For what games exactly?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Spec bump here we come.

 

[richpjr]

Spec bump here we come.

Apparently that sounds like all we get.

 

[Dr McKay]

If they'll finally put a beeper in that damn remote, it's an instant 'shut up and take my money' situation!

You’d think that it would have a U1 chip so that the remote can be found with ‘find my’.

I resorted to buying one of those controller cases that also houses an Airtag

 

[richpjr]

I resorted to buying one of those controller cases that also houses an Airtag

Isn't that pretty bulky?

 

[hagar]

I think this release will show whether Apple have basically run out of ideas for the Apple TV. If its just a spec bump (new A-series chip, Apple WiFi/bluetooth chip) and TvOS26 as per the beta then it's not good news.

Apple ran out of ideas for the ATV 15 years ago. Every iteration has been a spec bump. A minimal spec bump.

 

[oldwatery]

Just make the damn thing work reliably so that I don’t have to keep rebooting and or reinstalling my apps. And having to often watch pixelated and blurry images would be a real bonus. Our Roku box never needs this level of attention.

 

[BarrettF77]

Current 4k model works fine after 3 years. No need to upgrade as gaming will never be good with Apple and it’s really only a great UI for navigating between apps and shows. Beyond this it’s not a gaming device at all. It could be 10x more powerful and Apple still will neuter game devs for their stupid agendas

 

[richpjr]

Current 4k model works fine after 3 years. No need to upgrade as gaming will never be good with Apple and it’s really only a great UI for navigating between apps and shows. Beyond this it’s not a gaming device at all. It could be 10x more powerful and Apple still will neuter game devs for their stupid agendas

This is a good point. I have given up any hope that it will ever be a gaming device.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Just make the damn thing work reliably so that I don’t have to keep rebooting and or reinstalling my apps. And having to often watch pixelated and blurry images would be a real bonus. Our Roku box never needs this level of attention.

What you described is not normal. I have never had those kinds of problems.

 

[richpjr]

Just make the damn thing work reliably so that I don’t have to keep rebooting and or reinstalling my apps. And having to often watch pixelated and blurry images would be a real bonus. Our Roku box never needs this level of attention.

What apps do you have trouble with? The only one I have had issues with is DirecTV, which occasionally hangs.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

A lower price needs to be the main feature of note. Here in Ireland it starts at €169 ($195). If they take a chunk off the price then I'll get one to replace my 8yo 1st gen 4K model.

 

[QuarterSwede]

I resorted to buying one of those controller cases that also houses an Airtag

The 4K (not even the latest) has the ability to have the remote located using the Control Center remote app’s Find remote function.