The upgraded Apple TV 4K (4th Gen) features a significantly faster A19 chip, Siri AI (in some countries), AV1 video decoding and much more, but no HDMI 2.1 support for 4K120.
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) launched on October 18, 2022, meaning it has been four years since the last upgrade – the longest wait between two Apple TV models.
Today, after years of rumors, we finally got a major upgrade. It was announced under the banner of 'Welcome Home', Apple's new initiative for the connected home.
- "The new Apple TV 4K is our most immersive home theater experience yet," said Bob Borchers, Apple's VP of Worldwide Product Marketing. "With Siri AI, finding something to watch becomes a full-screen, conversational experience, and with built-in far-field microphones, it’s completely hands-free. Pair it with HomePod for the best surround sound setup we’ve ever offered, and it makes managing your Apple Home accessories easier than ever. Now, alongside HomeView, HomePod mini 2, and Apple Home Collection, it’s part of the most connected Apple Home we’ve ever built."
Significantly faster A19 chip
A19 in Apple TV 4K (4th Gen) is significantly faster than A15 Bionic in Apple TV (3rd Gen). A19 typically comes with 8 GB of RAM – up from 4 GB of RAM with the A15 Bionic – as well as hardware-based AV1 decoding for 4K video.
In addition, A19 features hardware-accelerated ray tracing and is powerful enough to run many console games, but Apple did not put much emphasis on gaming in its announcement. The company has previously used 'binned' chips in Apple TV devices, meaning that a CPU or GPU core has been disabled or that the chip has less RAM. Flatpanels will take a closer look at the specifications and performance in our upcoming in-depth review.
Other upgrades are Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. There is also support for Matter over Thread.
HomePod surround sound and smart home hub
Up to four HomePod (2nd Gen) or HomePod mini speakers can now be connected wirelessly to Apple TV 4K to create a surround sound system.
Integration with the connected home has also been expanded. Apple explains it as follows:
- "With a compatible doorbell, notifications appear directly on the TV so users can see who’s at the door, speak with them, and control other accessories like unlocking the door – all without interrupting what they’re watching. Apple TV 4K supports automations, guest mode, and secure local processing of HomeKit Secure Video, now enhanced with Apple Intelligence-generated camera activity video descriptions and summarized notifications. Users can also use Siri AI to control smart home accessories and turn scenes on or off hands-free. And with built-in Wi-Fi and Thread, Apple TV 4K can seamlessly connect and control a user’s smart home."
The box naturally still supports 4K, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Disappointingly, however, the box is still limited to HDMI 2.0 bandwidth for up to 4K 60fps, although it does support backwards-compatible HDMI 2.1 features like eARC and QMS.
Comes with Siri AI and tvOS 27
The faster chip means Apple TV can now support Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, although the feature will not initially be available in Europe and many other regions/languages. At launch, Siri AI on tvOS will be available in the US, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the UK in English.
Siri AI now appears in full-screen mode on the TV. You can ask questions such as "What Apple TV shows won at the Emmy Awards this year?" and follow up with additional questions. Because Siri AI can also access personal information on an iPhone or iPad, the system can find recommendations shared by friends and contacts in apps such as Messages.
There are three microphones built into the Apple TV box, allowing you to talk to Siri without using the remote control.
Apple TV 4K (4th Gen) comes with tvOS 27.2 preinstalled. This adds a Podcasts app with video podcasts, as well as support for Hi-Res Lossless, AutoMix, and Crossfade in Apple Music. Here are all the new features in tvOS 27. tvOS 27 will not be available for Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K (1st Gen).
The remote control is largely unchanged, but it now has a built-in speaker so it can beep when lost, using the Find My system. The new remote will also be available for purchase separately and is compatible with Apple TV HD and later models.
The box itself remains a small black unit with a built-in power supply. It connects to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet and connects to the TV through HDMI.
Apple TV 4K (4th Gen) will be available only with 128GB storage capacity starting on November 13 for 299 dollars, which is significantly more expensive than previous generations were at launch.
updating…
Apple TV 4K (4th Gen) – specs
Capacity
128GB
Connectivity
Wi‑Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO3
Bluetooth 6
Thread networking technology
HDMI 2.1 (only eARC, QMS, 4K 60fps max)
IR receiver
Built-in power supply
Gigabit Ethernet
Microphones
Three-microphone array with voice isolation
Siri Remote
Bluetooth 6
IR transmitter
Find My with Precision Finding
USB‑C connector for charging
Rechargeable battery
Charging via USB‑C cable to computer system or power adapter (each sold separately)
Control your TV or receiver via IR or CEC
Processor
A19 chip
Video Formats
Standard SDR/HDR video rates up to 2160p, 60 fps
Dolby Vision (Profile 8.1 and 5), HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
AV1, VP9, H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, MPEG-4
HDMI Quick Media Switching (QMS) for seamless format transitions
Support for 21:9 and other cinematic aspect ratios when playing movies and shows on compatible projectors and displays
Audio Formats
HE-AAC (V1), AAC (up to 320 Kbps), protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (up to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF, and WAV; AC-3 (Dolby Digital 5.1), E-AC-3 (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound), and Dolby Atmos
Siri AI9
Siri AI, an entirely new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, helps you discover what to watch, draws on your personal context, and answers questions on virtually any topic
Activate hands‑free with your voice using “Siri” or “Hey Siri” or press and hold the Siri button on the remote
Protected by the strongest privacy of any intelligent assistant
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