Katarzyna Petru
Apple is preparing an update to its multimedia player, and according to sources close to the company, the new Apple TV 4K will debut later this year, most likely in September. It will be the successor to the model from 2022, which, despite its solid construction, has already begun to age. The current version uses the A15 Bionic chip from the iPhone 13, supports HDR10+, but still lacks Dolby Vision, broader compatibility with spatial audio formats (e.g. DTS), or features useful to gamers, such as variable refresh rate (VRR). Considering that Apple updates this product on average every three years, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's forecast seems very likely.
More powerful processor and new connectivity
Although Kuo has not revealed the full specification, it is already known that the new Apple TV 4K will receive a more powerful processor – possibly the A18 Bionic from the iPhone 16 or even the A19 from the upcoming iPhone 17. Among the new features, there will also be support for Wi-Fi 7 and the first proprietary Apple chip for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication. This chip is expected to improve synchronization between the player and other devices from the company, such as the iPhone or Apple Watch, ensuring even smoother operation. Interestingly, there is no mention of gesture control in the leaks, which Apple was reportedly working on last year.
Lower Price and Competition
The biggest surprise could be the price. According to Kuo, Apple wants to lower the entry barrier to its television ecosystem and plans to sell the basic version of the Apple TV 4K 2025 for even $100 (approximately £75). This is a clear drop compared to the current models – the 64 GB version costs $129 today, while the 128 GB version is $149. It is unclear whether the new generation will also appear in two memory variants, but if so, the lower price would likely apply to the model with less memory. This is a clear signal that Apple wants to compete more aggressively with the Google TV streamer and Roku devices.
Update for new, not existing users
Although a faster processor and newer connectivity standards sound tempting, it is difficult to talk about a revolution. Current owners of the Apple TV 4K are likely not complaining about the performance of their device, and the potential support for uncompromised audio – one of the possible incentives – may also be available for the current model. Everything suggests that this year's launch is primarily aimed at attracting new users to the ChooseTV ecosystem, offering them a lower price and better integration with other company products, rather than forcing existing customers to upgrade their device.
