Apple’s Apple TV 4K has gone nearly four years without a hardware update; the third-generation model debuted in October 2022 with an A15 Bionic chip. Reliable reports now indicate a refreshed version is nearly ready and expected this fall (most likely September or October), timed to coincide with Apple’s broader Apple Intelligence and Siri AI rollout in iOS 27, tvOS 27, and related software.
Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman has described the new Apple TV (alongside a refreshed HomePod mini) as being in advanced testing and “nearly ready to launch” as part of Apple’s smart-home push. The company appears to have delayed the hardware so it can showcase the improved, more personalized Siri and related AI features rather than ship an incremental update.
Expected Hardware Upgrades
The biggest change is the processor. Software code references and reporting consistently point to the A17 Pro — the same chip introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro. This is the oldest Apple Silicon that supports Apple Intelligence, delivering meaningfully faster CPU and GPU performance, a stronger Neural Engine, hardware-accelerated ray tracing (potentially beneficial for more demanding Apple Arcade titles), and hardware AV1 decoding for efficient streaming. Some speculation has floated even newer chips (A18 or later) given the long wait, but A17 Pro remains the most frequently cited (it also helps keep the bill of materials cost down and Apple’s margins healthy). A RAM increase is also plausible to better support on-device AI.
Connectivity should see a clear step forward with Apple’s in-house N1 wireless networking chip (already used in recent iPhones and iPads). This is expected to enable Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and broader Thread support. The current model is limited to Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, with Thread available only on the higher-end Ethernet configuration. The upgrades should improve speed, lower latency, reliability for Continuity features, gaming, and smart-home hub duties, even if everyday 4K streaming does not demand the full bandwidth of Wi-Fi 7.
No major design changes are anticipated. The next Apple TV 4K is expected to retain the same compact black plastic “squircle” puck form factor as the 2022 model—small, fanless, and unobtrusive. There are no credible recent indications of 8K support.
A refreshed Siri Remote is possible, though details are sparse and major changes are not expected. One rumored improvement is better Find My support (potentially Ultra Wideband for Precision Finding, which the current remote lacks).
Software and Features
The new model is expected to launch with (or quickly support) tvOS 27 and full access to the overhauled Siri experience plus other Apple Intelligence capabilities. Current hardware cannot run these AI features.
The current (3rd-generation) Apple TV 4K cannot run Apple Intelligence or the upcoming on-device Siri AI features due to chip architecture and memory bottlenecks:
• Processor (A15 Bionic): The 3rd-generation Apple TV 4K runs on the A15 Bionic chip (the same chip used in the standard iPhone 13 and iPhone 14). Across Apple’s product lineup, the minimum baseline processor required for on-device Apple Intelligence is the A17 Pro (or any M-series chip). Older chips lack the specialized Neural Engine throughput required for local Large Language Model (LLM) processing.
• RAM Allocation: Apple Intelligence on-device models require a minimum of 8 GB of RAM. The current 3rd-generation Apple TV 4K features only 4 GB of RAM, leaving insufficient system memory to load and execute localized AI models while simultaneously maintaining normal tvOS operations and app multitasking.
As a result, while the current Apple TV 4K will still receive standard performance and UI improvements included in tvOS 27, all on-device generative AI features, modernized context-aware Siri AI abilities, and personalized AI content tools will remain exclusive to the upcoming hardware.
Specific television-centric AI tools have not been detailed, but the device is positioned as a showcase for voice interaction, smarter recommendations, and deeper smart-home integration. Existing tvOS 27 improvements (faster app launches, responsive Control Center, Hi-Res Lossless audio support in Apple Music, and more) will benefit older models, but the full AI suite requires newer Apple Silicon.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing remains an open question. Apple raised the current third-generation model’s starting price from $129 to $199 (64GB Wi-Fi) and the Ethernet/Thread version from $149 to $249 in mid-2026, citing higher component costs. The next-generation unit is unlikely to return to the old low starting price and could begin at $200 or higher. Refurbished current models offer some savings in the meantime.
This is primarily an internal upgrade focused on performance, AI readiness, and modern wireless standards rather than a redesign or radical new features. For most users the existing Apple TV 4K remains capable for 4K HDR streaming, apps, and basic smart-home use. However, if you want the new Siri AI, Apple Intelligence features, faster performance, better connectivity as a home hub, or future-proofing for more demanding games and content, waiting for the fall 2026 model is the clear recommendation according to current reporting.
MacDailyNews Take: Get ready to upgrade – finally! – your old Apple TV units!
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