The new Apple TV 4K has leaked. Another set-top box from Apple.

Apple may finally refresh its TV set-top box. A graphic depicting the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K was found in the company's code. This is the first such concrete trace of the new model, which could debut as soon as this fall.

The new Apple TV 4K is getting closer

The discovery was made by Aaron Perris, a MacRumors contributor, who found an official image of the as-yet-unannounced device in Apple's files. Importantly, the file contains the explicit label "Apple TV 4K (4th generation)". However, Apple has not yet announced the new set-top box or given a release date. At first glance, the new generation won't bring major changes to its appearance. The image shows a device very similar to the current Apple TV 4K, which suggests the company may this time focus primarily on changes to the internals.

Apple TV could get significantly more powerful hardware

Earlier reports suggested the new set-top box would receive a significantly more powerful processor. Leaks have mentioned chips like A17 Pro or newer, and more recent information also points to the possibility of using a chip from the A19 generation. At this point Apple has not confirmed any of these processors. There's also talk of increasing RAM from 4 GB to around 8 GB. That extra headroom would be needed, among other things, to support features related to artificial intelligence. Potential capabilities mentioned include Apple Intelligence and a more advanced Siri. The new Apple TV could also get Apple's own N1 chip, which is said to enable support for newer connectivity standards, including Wi-Fi 7. Earlier rumors also mentioned an improved version of the Siri Remote.

Will it launch later this year?

The 3rd-generation Apple TV 4K was introduced in October 2022. That means the current model has been on the market for almost four years. The latest leaks suggest we may not have to wait long for the next generation. The new Apple TV is listed among the devices Apple may unveil in October, although the company has not confirmed any date yet. It's also not yet known how much the new Apple TV 4K will cost. However, the mere presence of official artwork in Apple's code is a strong sign that the company is indeed preparing the next generation of its set-top box.

Source: MacRumors, AppleInsider, Apple