I still run a Apple TV HD, image quality is great in my 4K tv (I dont feel like I am missing out on the actual 4K resolution,probably some upscalling process in my tv), performance is better than my 4K tvs processing. I even got the Apple TV app on my tv. Not sure if that can play 4K video, but it’s just so much worse than the Apple TV HD.
Its a streaming station. What more would you need?
my assumtion is we will eventually see some Apple TV gaming that will bring some M chip that makes it fit to play the tripple a games now that the catalog is steadily gaining traction. more ssd space.
another reason could be to use Apple TV as Apple intelligence hub for the HomePods. You’d get to keep the speakers but could gain in house on device processing. it would explain the wild absence from any real HomePod updates today.