The next Apple TV 4K is once again making the rumor rounds, this time said to feature Apple Intelligence, Siri AI, an upgraded chip and possibly a refreshed remote control.
The information comes from Bloomberg so the timing should be taken with a grain of salt.
Mark Gurman is generally well-informed, but since 2024 he has repeatedly pointed to a new Apple TV 4K launch – first in 2024, then 2025 and now 2026. His argument for the delay? Apple is waiting to launch the upgraded media streamer until Siri AI is ready.
Apple Intelligence and Siri AI
Apple Intelligence and Siri AI are expected to roll out across Apple's platforms starting this fall, so it is likely that Apple TV 4K will also get these technologies.
- "Finally, the new Apple TV and HomePod mini with Apple Intelligence are both in very advanced testing. I'd be surprised if they didn't come this year as well. But don't expect major changes with those items, other than support for the new Siri and possibly a tweaked Apple TV remote," writes Bloomberg.
Siri AI is not currently supported in EU countries, which Apple says is due to requirements under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which it argues conflicts with privacy protections in AI systems.
New chips
Apple Intelligence and Siri AI require a faster chip in Apple TV. Bloomberg reported last year that this will be the A17 Pro, which paved the way for AAA console gaming with ray tracing on Apple devices, although delays may have changed plans.
It is worth noting that A17 Pro and newer chips also support hardware-accelerated AV1 decoding.
Bloomberg has previously reported that the next Apple TV will feature Apple's own WiFi and Bluetooth chip, which is expected to improve integration with other Apple devices. The box will reportedly not support 8K, pointing toward what is likely the Apple TV 4K (4th Gen).
Also read: Our wishlist for the next Apple TV and tvOS
tvOS 27 drops older devices
Apple announced tvOS 27 earlier this month, removing support for both Apple TV HD and the first-generation Apple TV 4K. In earlier releases, both devices had already been unable to support several new features due to outdated hardware.
The fact that Apple TV 4K has fallen so far behind Apple's other platforms is largely due to the hardware not having been upgraded since November 2022. This marks the longest gap between Apple TV refreshes to date.
Google launched its Google TV Streamer in summer 2024 while the Nvidia Shield has not seen its hardware upgraded since October 2019.
- Source: Bloomberg
