A new Apple TV 4K is launching this fall ‣ Diverse Daily

This fall, Apple is expected to unveil a wide range of new products, including its M6 MacBook Pro, a refreshed iPad mini, the Apple Watch 12, the iPhone 18 Pro, and, finally, its long-awaited foldable iPhone. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to see what Apple has in store for all of them, especially the foldable iPhone. But there’s one Apple product I’m even more excited about, which could finally launch soon after years of waiting: a new Apple TV 4K.

It might be hard to believe, but the last time Apple released a new Apple TV 4K was in the fall of 2022, when it launched the third-generation model powered by the A15 Bionic chip. Four years later, a successor still hasn’t arrived, and anticipation has only continued to build. Over the past year, rumors and reports about the next Apple TV 4K have really started to heat up, giving us a much clearer picture of what Apple may have planned.

Here’s everything you need to know about the next-generation Apple TV 4K, including its potential release date, hardware upgrades, software features, and expected price.

When is the new Apple TV 4K launching?

All signs point to this fall

Apple TV 4K on table next to popcorn bowl.

Rumors about when Apple will finally launch a new Apple TV 4K have been circulating for well over a year. At one point, it was heavily rumored to arrive in late 2025 following the iPhone 17 launch, but that never happened. It was then expected to debut in the spring of 2026, but that release window also came and went without a word from Apple.

So, why has it taken Apple so long to release a new Apple TV 4K? According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, one key feature is responsible: Siri.

At WWDC 2024, Apple introduced Apple Intelligence and an entirely new AI-powered version of Siri that would be more conversational, provide more insightful answers, and understand your personal context. Apple originally planned to launch the revamped Siri in 2025, but it was delayed. It wasn’t until WWDC 2026 this past June that Apple finally unveiled Siri AI, which is now set to launch in beta this fall with iOS 27.

So, what does Siri have to do with the Apple TV 4K? For quite some time, it’s been rumored that the next Apple TV 4K will support Apple Intelligence. According to Gurman, Apple wants to use the device to showcase its new Siri and Apple Intelligence features. Because Siri AI wasn’t ready, Apple reportedly delayed the Apple TV 4K as well, despite the hardware and design reportedly being “nearly ready to go.”

…we could finally see the new Apple TV 4K launch in October or November this year, after the new iPhones arrive and just ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Now, with Siri AI finally launching this fall, the biggest obstacle appears to be out of the way. Gurman recently reported that both the new Apple TV 4K and a refreshed HomePod mini are “nearly ready to launch,” and that, according to Apple sources he spoke with, will release “this fall.”

That means there’s a strong possibility we could finally see the new Apple TV 4K launch in October or November this year, after the new iPhones arrive and just ahead of the holiday shopping season. For reference, the current Apple TV 4K launched on November 4, 2022, so it’s possible Apple could stick to a similar release timeline once again.

Hardware and design

A faster chipset is at the center

The biggest upgrade expected for the new Apple TV 4K is its chipset. For quite some time, rumors have pointed to Apple powering it with the A17 Pro, the same chip that debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Since the A17 Pro was the first iPhone chip to support Apple Intelligence, it would make perfect sense for Apple to use it in the next Apple TV 4K, especially if the device is expected to support Siri AI and Apple Intelligence. It also helps that the A17 Pro is now a few years old, making it a more cost-effective option.

Beyond the chipset, the new Apple TV 4K is also expected to receive upgraded networking and Bluetooth capabilities. Last year, Apple introduced its N1 networking chip with the iPhone 17 lineup, bringing support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Rumors suggest the next Apple TV 4K will include the same chip, delivering faster wireless performance and improved connectivity.

As for the design, don’t expect a major overhaul. Gurman has reported that the new Apple TV 4K will likely look nearly identical to the current third-gen model, retaining its compact, black, rounded-square design.

Software

tvOS 27 and Apple Intelligence

The new Apple TV 4K will likely launch with tvOS 27, which is currently available in public beta. Some of the biggest new features coming with tvOS 27 include a redesigned Podcasts app, faster app launches, a more responsive Control Center, a new Larger Text accessibility option, Hi-Res Lossless audio support in Apple Music, and the ability to update your Apple TV from your iPhone using the Home app. If you want a deeper look at everything tvOS 27 has to offer, you can check out my other Pocket-lint story covering all the new features here.

Of course, as I mentioned earlier, Apple Intelligence and Siri AI are expected to be the headline software features of the new Apple TV 4K. Exactly how Siri AI will work on the device remains to be seen, but based on how Gemini works on Google TV, you’ll likely be able to use Siri to discover movies and TV shows, find live sporting events, answer questions, and control your smart home, all with more natural, conversational voice commands.

How much will the new Apple TV 4K cost?

It could start at $200

Back in June, Apple began raising the prices of several of its devices in response to the ongoing global memory shortage, driven by the AI boom, which has sent component costs soaring. While iPads and Macs saw some of the biggest increases, the third-gen Apple TV 4K wasn’t spared.

The 64GB Apple TV 4K jumped from $130 to $200, while the 128GB model with Ethernet increased from $150 to $250.

It’s unclear how Apple will price the next-generation Apple TV 4K, but given those recent increases, I wouldn’t be surprised if it starts at $200 or possibly higher, especially since it’s expected to feature upgraded hardware to support Apple Intelligence.

The wait is almost over

Overall, if you’ve been patiently waiting for Apple to release a new Apple TV 4K, whether you’re looking to upgrade your current model or switch to the platform, it looks like the wait is finally almost over. Apple is reportedly on track to launch the new Apple TV 4K this fall with support for Siri AI and Apple Intelligence. The biggest drawback, however, could be the price. After Apple recently raised the starting price of the current Apple TV 4K to $200, there’s a good chance the new model will launch at the same price, if not higher.