The new Apple TV is closer than ever ‣ Diverse Daily

For Apple TV fans, the wait is almost over.

It’s been nearly four years since Apple launched its third-generation Apple TV 4K, powered by the A15 Bionic chip, in October 2022. In fact, Apple recently broke the record for the longest it’s ever gone without releasing a new Apple TV model. But don’t worry, if you’ve been eagerly awaiting a new model like I have, it seems a new Apple TV 4K is finally just around the corner.

For the past year or so, there have been tons of rumors and reports about when Apple might release a new Apple TV 4K. And while Apple has reportedly had one almost ready to launch for a while, one crucial piece has been holding it back: Siri.

One of the biggest features the new Apple TV 4K is expected to have is support for Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, Apple’s next-generation version of Siri that’s designed to be more helpful and conversational. Apple first announced its revamped Siri at WWDC 2024, but after nearly two years of delays, it finally announced at WWDC 2026 in June that the new Siri will launch this fall with iOS 27.

With Siri AI reportedly being the last major hurdle preventing Apple from releasing a new Apple TV 4K, the runway is now finally clear. And based on this latest report, it looks like you won’t have to wait much longer for Apple’s long-awaited new streaming box.

A new Apple TV 4K could launch this fall

Apple will start releasing new products in September

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is gearing up for multiple major launches this September, including its first-ever foldable iPhone, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the Apple Watch Series 12, and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. And while it’s not specifically confirmed for September just yet, Gurman has reported that a new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini are “nearly ready to launch” and, according to sources he spoke to at Apple, “will be ready this fall.”

Given that Siri AI is launching this fall, and Apple has long been rumored to tie the launch of its newest Apple TV 4K to its new Apple Intelligence and Siri features, a fall launch makes perfect sense to me. And considering it’s been almost four years since the last Apple TV 4K launched, it’s long overdue.

The only big question now is exactly when it will launch this fall. Gurman speculates it could be this September, and I wholeheartedly hope that’s the case. I’d love to see Apple show it off during its big iPhone event, which could take place on September 9. However, I could also see Apple pushing the announcement and release of its new Apple TV 4K to October, so the foldable iPhone and iPhone 18 Pro get the majority of the spotlight in September.

But that’s just speculation on my part. The main point Gurman reports here is that the new Apple TV 4K is expected to be released this fall.

What upgrades will the new Apple TV 4K have?

Price is the biggest unknown

As for what you can actually expect from the new Apple TV 4K, the biggest upgrade is likely a new chipset. Rumors point to the A17 Pro, which first debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max in 2023. Given that it was the first iPhone chip to support Apple Intelligence, it would make sense for Apple to use it in the new Apple TV 4K. And since it’s an older chip now, it would also be a more cost-effective option for Apple.

The other big hardware upgrade the new Apple TV 4K is expected to have is a new networking chip, rumored to be Apple’s in-house-designed N1 chip, which the company introduced with the iPhone 17 lineup last year. This would bring support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 to the new Apple TV 4K, which would certainly help future-proof it.

Design-wise, nothing is expected to change, with Apple reportedly sticking to the same compact, black plastic, rounded-square design as the current third-gen model. As for software, it’ll reportedly support Apple Intelligence and Siri AI and run tvOS 27.

The price is probably the biggest question mark right now. Apple recently raised the price of the third-gen Apple TV 4K amid the ongoing global memory shortage driven by AI, which has caused component prices to soar. Apple increased the price by $70, from $130 to $200. So, it’s quite possible the new Apple TV 4K could start at $200 as well, or possibly even higher, especially with the upgraded hardware needed to support Apple Intelligence.

All things considered, if you’ve been waiting forever for Apple to release a new Apple TV 4K, whether you’re looking to upgrade your current Apple TV or switch to the platform entirely, it seems destined to finally launch this fall with some noteworthy upgrades. The two biggest unknowns, though, are the exact launch date and price. But I have my fingers crossed that Apple will spill all the details this September at its big iPhone event.