When to Expect a New Apple TV to Launch

[MacRumors]

It has been nearly a year and a half since the current Apple TV was released, so the device is becoming due for a hardware upgrade. Below, we recap rumors about the next Apple TV, including potential features and launch timing.

The current model is the third-generation Apple TV 4K, announced in October 2022. Key new features compared to the previous model from 2021 include a faster A15 Bionic chip, a larger 128GB storage option, a slightly thinner and lighter design, HDR10+ support, a USB-C port on the Siri Remote, lower pricing, and more.

Launch Timing

In January 2023, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that a new Apple TV would be released in the first half of 2024. If that timeframe remains accurate, a new Apple TV would be released by the end of June. If so, the device could be announced in a press release on Apple's website, or unveiled during the WWDC keynote on June 10.

Gurman has not commented on the next Apple TV in recent months, and his report was published nearly 15 months ago, so it is unclear if the device remains on track to launch in the first half of 2024 or if Apple's plans have changed.

Announcement dates for recent Apple TV models:

• 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

Rumors

Faster Chip

The next Apple TV will be equipped with a faster processor compared to the current model, according to Gurman's report last year. It's unclear which chip will power the device, but possibilities include the A16 Bionic chip that debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro models or the A17 Pro chip that debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro models.

Lower Price

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the next Apple TV to be "more affordable" than the current model. He said a "sub-$100 price" would be the "sweet spot" for the Apple TV, but exact pricing for the next model remains to be seen.

Both the second-generation (2010) and third-generation (2012) versions of the Apple TV were priced at $99 in the U.S. at launch, and Apple eventually lowered the price of the third-generation model to $69, so there is precedent for a sub-$100 Apple TV that would better compete with low-priced streaming devices sold by Google, Amazon, and Roku.

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

Same Design

The new Apple TV will have the same external design as the current model, Gurman said.

Apple said the A15 Bionic chip's increased power efficiency allowed for the fan to be removed in the current Apple TV, resulting in the device having a more compact design that is around 12% thinner and around 50% lighter than the previous model.

Apple TV With Camera

A future Apple TV could have a built-in camera for FaceTime and other video calling apps, Gurman said in his Power On newsletter a few days ago.

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.

It is unclear if a camera would be added to the next Apple TV or a later model.

Article Link: When to Expect a New Apple TV to Launch

 

[Rychiar]

using mine less and less with Vision Pro quickly becoming my main media device

 

[jwolf6589]

It has been nearly a year and a half since the current Apple TV was released, so the device is becoming due for a hardware upgrade. Below, we recap rumors about the next Apple TV, including potential features and launch timing.

The current model is the third-generation Apple TV 4K, announced in October 2022. Key new features compared to the previous model from 2021 include a faster A15 Bionic chip, a larger 128GB storage option, a slightly thinner and lighter design, HDR10+ support, a USB-C port on the Siri Remote, lower pricing, and more.

Launch Timing

In January 2023, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that a new Apple TV would be released in the first half of 2024. If that timeframe remains accurate, a new Apple TV would be released by the end of June. If so, the device could be announced in a press release on Apple's website, or unveiled during the WWDC keynote on June 10.

Gurman has not commented on the next Apple TV in recent months, and his report was published nearly 15 months ago, so it is unclear if the device remains on track to launch in the first half of 2024 or if Apple's plans have changed.

Announcement dates for recent Apple TV models:

• 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

Rumors

Faster Chip

The next Apple TV will be equipped with a faster processor compared to the current model, according to Gurman's report last year. It's unclear which chip will power the device, but possibilities include the A16 Bionic chip that debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro models or the A17 Pro chip that debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro models.

Lower Price

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the next Apple TV to be "more affordable" than the current model. He said a "sub-$100 price" would be the "sweet spot" for the Apple TV, but exact pricing for the next model remains to be seen.

Both the second-generation (2010) and third-generation (2012) versions of the Apple TV were priced at $99 in the U.S. at launch, and Apple eventually lowered the price of the third-generation model to $69, so there is precedent for a sub-$100 Apple TV that would better compete with low-priced streaming devices sold by Google, Amazon, and Roku.

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

Similar Design

The new Apple TV will have the same external design as the current model, Gurman said.

Apple said the A15 Bionic chip's increased power efficiency allowed for the fan to be removed in the current Apple TV, resulting in the device having a more compact design that is around 12% thinner and around 50% lighter than the previous model.

Apple TV With Camera

A future Apple TV could have a built-in camera for FaceTime and other video calling apps, Gurman said in his Power On newsletter a few days ago.

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.

It is unclear if a camera would be added to the next Apple TV or a later model.

Article Link: When to Expect a New Apple TV to Launch

I love my A15 appleTV!!!! Use it daily!!!!

 

[abatabia]

As with most of apples hardware lately, the software is what needs updating. The Apple TV is also in the camp. The hardware is just fine, but the bugs across the board of all their devices is what really needs work.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

I really love my Apple TV. If I didn't use my MacBook for work, it would easily be my most used Apple device.

ARC (Audio Return Channel) support added in the fourth-generation took it to another level for me. PS5 audio through the HomePods is top-notch.

 

[Squuiid]

"Apple said the A15 Bionic chip's increased power efficiency allowed for the fan to be removed in the current Apple TV, resulting in the device having a more compact design that is around 12% thinner and around 50% lighter than the previous model."

Yeah, and it now consistently throttles due to excess heat. Hoping the new one will be better in this area.

 

[jwolf6589]

"Apple said the A15 Bionic chip's increased power efficiency allowed for the fan to be removed in the current Apple TV, resulting in the device having a more compact design that is around 12% thinner and around 50% lighter than the previous model."

Yeah, and it now consistently throttles due to excess heat. Hoping the new one will be better in this area.

I don’t play games so don’t notice,

 

[jwolf6589]

As with most of apples hardware lately, the software is what needs updating. The Apple TV is also in the camp. The hardware is just fine, but the bugs across the board of all their devices is what really needs work.

TVOS is way way way better than my first AppleTV. WatchOS is way better these days as well.

 

[kiranmk2]

Not really sure what the point of a new Apple TV is. The A17 Pro still isn't fast enough to play AAA games (look at the reviews for RE4 / RE Village on iPhone 15 Pro) and I don't think the A16 adds much over the current A15. M-series chip maybe, but that is bound to increase the price, rather than decrease it.

 

[tomtad]

How to fix a problem like Apple TV.

The reality is with TV's now coming with built in streaming software and the proliferation of cheap streaming sticks it makes less sense to be getting an Apple TV. It needs to offer more and two obvious routes are:

1. Bundle or offer as an accessory a camera to attach and place below or above your TV to use for FaceTime
2. Produce an Apple designed game controller to use with Apple Arcade. There's no point trying to compete with Sony or Microsoft here with AAA games, but more casual gaming is a big thing and could be a big draw if Apple actually gave a damn. The current arrangement of using PS5 controllers with half of the buttons not working doesn't sell the experience well, maybe something similar to the Wiimote would be an interesting approach.

Maybe these accessories could then help subsidise a cheaper price for the main device. Getting a sub $99 price would really help shift these.

 

[Tyler.Schmaltz]

If it has AV1 support sign me up. Switching all my apple products to ones that support AV1 decode so i can switch my plex to AV1 for the file size savings.

 

[guzhogi]

While I won't need it any time soon, I wonder if it'll support 8K TVs? The camera sounds cool, but I have to wonder how many people have the ATV in place where a camera makes sense? My TV stands are low enough where if I put the ATV with a camera on that, I'll see nothing but crotches. If I angle it up, bottoms of chins. If I put it at a decent height, I'll need a shelf with the ATV on it, which seems weird.

 

[JeroenDV]

It would be wonderful that people with hearing loss can use their AirPods with Headphone Accommodations on the Apple TV.
Now it only works with iPhone and iPad.
On Apple TV I only get the sound without using my audiogram to match my hearing loss….

 

[xmlninja]

”The Apple TV PRO with m3 ultra.”

You dont need it but you are going to get it.

It will have the feature to off load your grandmas 8k Final Cut Pro kitchen vlog rendering from iPad to the Apple TV.

 

[suchnerve]

AV1 hardware decoder sorely needed

 

[Royksöpp]

Give it an M chip, or don't even bother at all. For a device that is touted for its gaming "capabilities", it has an extremely limited catalog.

 

[7thson]

The Siri button needs to be recessed in its current placement or moved back to the keypad. It’s frustratingly easy to activate Siri when I just need to pick up the remote to rewind/pause/etc. I should have to put some effort into activating it, instead of being presented with it on accident 90% of the time.

 

[StarHunter]

Really the biggest reason for A17 Pro is AV1 hardware decode which streaming services will make use of. Really though I think the main driver of Apple TV updates is upgrading the chip to be in line with other devices such as the iPad mini or regular iPad, so they have a most common chip from a production/inventory perspective.

If Apple was actually serious about gaming, they would be putting in a M3, M3 Pro, or M3 Max, which would increase the price too much. Given that they still have not done it I don't think they will ever make this move now.

 

[guzhogi]

How to fix a problem like Apple TV.

The reality is with TV's now coming with built in streaming software and the proliferation of cheap streaming sticks it makes less sense to be getting an Apple TV. It needs to offer more and two obvious routes are:

1. Bundle or offer as an accessory a camera to attach and place below or above your TV to use for FaceTime
2. Produce an Apple designed game controller to use with Apple Arcade. There's no point trying to compete with Sony or Microsoft here with AAA games, but more casual gaming is a big thing and could be a big draw if Apple actually gave a damn. The current arrangement of using PS5 controllers with half of the buttons not working doesn't sell the experience well, maybe something similar to the Wiimote would be an interesting approach.

Maybe these accessories could then help subsidise a cheaper price for the main device. Getting a sub $99 price would really help shift these.

I miss the days of "dumb" TVs/monitors. I don't need them to have every service under the sun, which often does them at a mediocre quality. I prefer a TV with just a couple HDMI ports, maybe coax for an antenna. Then I'll add what the services I want. AppleTV, BluRay, cable box, whatever. Then if one thing breaks, I can just replace that rather than the entire thing.

 

[DukeSilver79]

”The Apple TV PRO with m3 ultra.”

You dont need it but you are going to get it.

It will have the feature to off load your grandmas 8k Final Cut Pro kitchen vlog rendering from iPad to the Apple TV.

Not unless it could somehow magically turn my 4k tv into 8k or something. I'm perfectly happy with the newest Apple TV. The family really enjoys the FaceTime feature.

 

[guzhogi]

At work, when we first got back unperson after Covid, we got some of those combination webcam/soundbar systems (specifically Neat Bars) that connect to Zoom. Included some attachments to connect to the top of TVs. Maybe Apple could make an AppleTV like that?

 

[oneMadRssn]

If it has AV1 support sign me up. Switching all my apple products to ones that support AV1 decode so i can switch my plex to AV1 for the file size savings.

AV1 hardware decoder sorely needed

The A17 Pro has AV1 hardware on chip; so I would bet they'll include it in the next update.

Question though - storage is cheap. Why bother reencoding to save a bit of space? The time-value doesn't seem to be there. I personally prefer remuxes to keep everything as close to original as possible, and let Plex transcode as needed. Yea they take up a ton of space and it's arguably inefficient, but storage is cheaper than ever and a good NAS + Plex Server can use less power combined than a lightbulb.

 

[Paddle1]

"Apple said the A15 Bionic chip's increased power efficiency allowed for the fan to be removed in the current Apple TV, resulting in the device having a more compact design that is around 12% thinner and around 50% lighter than the previous model."

Yeah, and it now consistently throttles due to excess heat. Hoping the new one will be better in this area.

When does it throttle? I haven't noticed this.

 

[JeffPerrin]

I can see where a more powerful chip + RAM would help with future endeavors such as a sports app's multi-angle video support. In comparison, other streaming dongles choke out hard on multi-angle video streams (if they even support them at all).

 

[FasterQuieter]

My A12 powered device was choking on 4K content in Infuse, so I just upgraded. Wish I'd seen these rumors earlier, as the latest one is also causing me some issues. It randomly freezes during playback and I have had a lot of apps crashing.