Apple TV 4K: Will a new model arrive this year?
Apple's pipeline for 2025 is actually already well-filled. However, there could still be accessory products – such as a new Apple TV 4K. What could come?
Apple TV 4K with HomePod mini.
(Image: Apple)
After four new iPhones, three new Apple Watch models, the AirPods Pro 3, the MacBook Pro M5, the iPad Pro M5, and the Vision Pro M5, Apple seems to be well-equipped for the upcoming Christmas business. Nevertheless, observers believe that at least smaller products could be launched in November—or even shortly before the gift-giving rush in December. In addition to the long-awaited second-generation AirTags, this could particularly be a new edition of the multimedia box Apple TV 4K.
SoC, Network, Storage
As a reminder: The third generation of the 4K hardware has been on the market since autumn 2022 and therefore only has outdated internals. The A15 Bionic used in it appeared in September 2021 along with the iPhone 13. The SoC has only five CPU cores (one high-performance core has been deactivated by Apple) plus five GPU cores. Among other things, HDR10+, HDMI 2.1 with QMS, and a maximum of 128 GB of storage space (model with Ethernet and Thread instead of just WLAN) are possible. The included Siri Remote has been switched to USB-C (instead of Lightning).
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A new model therefore has a number of potential improvements. This starts with the SoC. Leaked Apple code suggests that Apple could upgrade to the A17 Pro from the iPhone 15 Pro (from 2023) here. In terms of wireless technology, there is hope for Apple's in-house N1, which supports Wi-Fi 7, although not at maximum bandwidth. Improvements in Bluetooth/Thread are also conceivable. In many households, the Apple TV 4K box also serves as a Home Hub (Control Center) for Apple Home. Furthermore, Apple could install more storage, for example, up to 256 GB; this helps, for instance, if you use (many) larger games on the device.
Form Factor and Camera Rumor
Finally, a new Apple TV 4K—the name will likely not change—could offer Apple Intelligence features for the first time, which Apple wants to give to its voice assistant Siri next year. The A17 Pro at least fundamentally supports the AI system. Finally, there have also been rumors recently that Apple could tweak the form factor of the Apple TV 4K—for example, integrate a camera for the first time.
Currently, for FaceTime video chats, which tvOS now supports, an iPhone or iPad connected via WLAN is necessary. The question, however, is where exactly the camera would have to be located in the multimedia box to adequately capture the area in front of the TV—and at the correct user height.
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