A brand new Apple TV is anticipated to be launched later this 12 months, and a handful of recent options and modifications have been rumored for the gadget.
Beneath, we recap what to anticipate from the following Apple TV, in response to rumors.
Rumors
Quicker Wi-Fi Assist
The subsequent Apple TV might be geared up with Apple’s personal mixed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, in response to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman. He stated the chip helps Wi-Fi 6E, which might be an improve over the present Apple TV’s normal Wi-Fi 6 assist. Wi-Fi 6E extends the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz band with a appropriate router. This could contribute to sooner Wi-Fi speeds and decrease latency in comparison with Wi-Fi 6.
The chip may even assist Wi-Fi 7 as a substitute, which may present peak theoretical speeds of over 40 Gbps, a 4× improve over Wi-Fi 6E.
Newer Chip
The present Apple TV is powered by the A15 Bionic chip, which debuted in all iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Professional fashions in 2022. It is vitally doubtless that the following Apple TV could have a more recent chip, comparable to an A18 or A19 chip, and this is able to end in sooner general efficiency and probably even Apple Intelligence assist on tvOS.
FaceTime Digital camera and Gesture Controls
tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, permitting for video calls with the rear digicam on a related iPhone or iPad. If the Apple TV gained a built-in digicam, customers would not have to depend on an exterior gadget for video calls on the TV.
In April 2024, Gurman stated Apple had “mentioned” providing an Apple TV with a built-in digicam for FaceTime and gesture-based controls, however it’s unclear if Apple is shifting ahead with that plan for the following mannequin specifically. He didn’t elaborate on the gesture facet, however it feels like the following Apple TV would acknowledge numerous hand actions.
Apple says tvOS 26 enhances FaceTime in a number of methods — becoming for an Apple TV with a digicam:
With tvOS 26, customers can take pleasure in a extra customized FaceTime expertise that is according to iOS. Contact Posters on Apple TV make it simpler and extra private by displaying a contact’s personalized picture and title when beginning a FaceTime name on Apple TV. Dwell Captions develop to incorporate French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish, enabling Apple TV to make use of on-device intelligence to show Dwell Captions for FaceTime conversations, so customers can observe what’s being stated in much more languages. Moreover, FaceTime audio and telephone name notifications will seem onscreen for the lively profile, permitting customers to reply on related HomePod audio system or their iPhone, and guaranteeing that communication with family members stays on the forefront.
Decrease Worth
On the identical day as the present Apple TV was introduced in October 2022, Apple provide chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that he anticipated the following Apple TV to be “extra inexpensive.” He stated {that a} sub-$100 value could be the “candy spot” for the Apple TV, however he didn’t say if Apple will truly obtain that value level.
Each the 2010 and 2012 variations of the Apple TV had been priced at $99 within the U.S. at launch, and Apple ultimately lowered the worth of the 2012 mannequin to $69, so there may be precedent for a sub-$100 Apple TV. Different firms like Amazon and Roku provide low-priced streaming sticks, with sale costs going as little as $19.99.
Within the U.S., the present Apple TV begins at $129 with 64GB of storage, and a 128GB mannequin with an Ethernet port for wired web is priced at $149.
Timing
The subsequent Apple TV might be launched “towards the top of the 12 months,” in response to Gurman. In that case, it’s doubtless that the gadget will launch in September or October, however November or December can’t be totally dominated out at this level.
Right here is when the earlier 4 Apple TV fashions had been introduced:
- Apple TV 4K (third era): October 2022
- Apple TV 4K (2nd era): April 2021
- Apple TV 4K (1st era): September 2017
- Apple TV HD: September 2015
Learn our Apple TV roundup for extra particulars.
