If you’ve been thinking about buying a new streaming device, there certainly isn’t a shortage of options. There are Roku devices, Fire TV Sticks, the Google TV Streamer, the Nvidia Shield, and more. But for many people, the Apple TV 4K has remained a go-to option, and for good reason. It’s fast and reliable for 4K HDR streaming, and it delivers an interface that feels a lot like iOS, which many people are already familiar with.
However, the current third-gen Apple TV 4K launched in 2022, and while it’s still a great streamer, if you’ve been thinking about picking one up, now might be the worst time to buy. Why? Because it finally looks like a new Apple TV 4K is launching soon, and the upgrades could make it well worth holding off for.
- Brand
-
Apple
- Bluetooth codecs
-
5.0
- Wi-Fi
-
6
- Ethernet
-
Gigabit (128GB model only)
When is the new Apple TV 4K launching?
Apple reportedly has had it “ready since last year”
Now, I know there have been rumors about a new Apple TV 4K coming for years, so it’s understandable to ask: “Why is there so much hope that it’s finally happening soon?”
And I get that. Last year, there was a lot of speculation that a new Apple TV 4K would launch during the holidays, but it never materialized.
However, this year, there is much more reason to be hopeful, as Apple is reportedly on the verge of finally releasing an updated Apple TV 4K this fall. And the reason we’ve had to wait so long is that one crucial feature wasn’t ready yet, but soon will be: Siri.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has had a new Apple TV 4K “ready since last year,” but has held off on launching it because its revamped Siri and more personalized Apple Intelligence features, which the new Apple TV 4K is closely tied to and is expected to showcase, aren’t yet ready.
Because the device is so tightly tied to the updated Siri experience, Apple could launch it alongside iOS 27 in September or sometime shortly afterward.
The new Siri and personalized Apple Intelligence features were first shown off at WWDC in June 2024, but faced a series of delays as Apple has struggled to move its AI efforts forward at the same pace as rivals like Google and Samsung.
But now, in 2026, Apple is finally on the cusp of rolling out its new version of Siri (after some help from Google), and while it didn’t arrive this spring with iOS 26.4, Apple is now said to be targeting iOS 27 in September as the launch window.
And if that timeline holds, it opens the door for a new Apple TV 4K to follow closely behind. Because the device is so tightly tied to the updated Siri experience, Apple could launch it alongside iOS 27 in September or sometime shortly afterward.
The new Apple TV 4K will be worth the wait
More power, more features, and longer support
There have been a lot of leaks about the new Apple TV 4K over the past year, and the one that’s arguably the most exciting is the chipset upgrade. Reports suggest it could be powered by Apple’s A17 Pro chip.
If you’re not familiar with the A17 Pro, it first debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, and it also powers the current-gen iPad Mini. In other words, it’s a seriously powerful chip for something as compact as an Apple TV. Right now, the current third-gen Apple TV 4K runs on the A15 Bionic, which is still very fast. But the jump to A17 Pro would likely bring noticeable performance improvements, making everything from navigation to streaming feel even smoother and more responsive.
And while this is still just a leak, it does make sense. If Apple is really tying the new Apple TV 4K closely to Siri and Apple Intelligence features, the A17 Pro would fit the bill, as it’s the first chip Apple made that supports Apple Intelligence.
Apple doesn’t update the Apple TV very often, and if you can wait a little longer, you’ll likely end up with a streamer that’s faster, more capable, and supported for years to come — which, for me, is reason enough to wait.
Besides the A17 Pro, the new Apple TV 4K is also rumored to feature Apple’s new N1 networking chip (via MacRumors), which supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. In practical terms, this means faster, more reliable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Of course, on the software side, the new Apple TV 4K will feature Siri and Apple Intelligence. While we don’t yet know exactly what those integrations will look like, if Alexa+ and Gemini are any indication, Apple could be working to make it so Siri can help you answer questions, such as finding shows and movies to watch and navigating the device for you. With WWDC 2026 around the corner in June, hopefully, Apple will share a clearer glimpse of what to expect from its new Siri across its devices.
All things considered, with a new Apple TV 4K seemingly right around the corner, I’d recommend holding off if you’re thinking about buying the current third-gen model. Apple doesn’t update the Apple TV very often, and if you can wait a little longer, you’ll likely end up with a streamer that’s faster, more capable, and supported for years to come — which, for me, is reason enough to wait.
