A brand new Apple TV is anticipated to be launched later this yr, and a handful of recent options and modifications have been rumored for the system.
Beneath, we recap what to anticipate from the subsequent Apple TV, in line with rumors.
Rumor
Quicker Wi-Fi Help
The following Apple TV will probably be outfitted with Apple’s personal mixed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, in line with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. He stated the chip helps Wi-Fi 6E, which might be an improve over the present Apple TV’s customary Wi-Fi 6 help. Wi-Fi 6E extends the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz band with a suitable router. This may contribute to sooner Wi-Fi speeds and decrease latency in comparison with Wi-Fi 6.
The chip may even help Wi-Fi 7 as a substitute, which might present peak theoretical speeds of over 40 Gbps, a 4× enhance 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 rather seemingly that the subsequent Apple TV may have a more moderen chip, reminiscent of an A18 or A19 chip, and this is able to lead to sooner total efficiency and probably even Apple Intelligence help 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 must depend on an exterior system 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 transferring ahead with that plan for the subsequent mannequin specifically. He didn’t elaborate on the gesture facet, but it surely feels like the subsequent Apple TV would acknowledge varied 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 in step with iOS. Contact Posters on Apple TV make it simpler and extra private by displaying a contact’s personalized photograph and title when beginning a FaceTime name on Apple TV. Reside Captions increase to incorporate French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish, enabling Apple TV to make use of on-device intelligence to show Reside Captions for FaceTime conversations, so customers can observe what’s being stated in much more languages. Moreover, FaceTime audio and cellphone name notifications will seem onscreen for the lively profile, permitting customers to reply on related HomePod audio system or their iPhone, and making certain 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 subsequent Apple TV to be “extra reasonably priced.” He stated {that a} sub-$100 worth can be the “candy spot” for the Apple TV, however he didn’t say if Apple will truly obtain that worth level.
Each the 2010 and 2012 variations of the Apple TV have been priced at $99 within the U.S. at launch, and Apple finally lowered the worth of the 2012 mannequin to $69, so there’s precedent for a sub-$100 Apple TV. Different corporations 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 following Apple TV will probably be launched “towards the tip of the yr,” in line with Gurman. If that’s the case, it’s seemingly that the system will launch in September or October, however November or December can’t be completely dominated out at this level.
Right here is when the earlier 4 Apple TV fashions have 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.