Apple final up to date its Apple TV streaming field in October 2022, which itself was solely a modest spec bump over the spring 2021 model. This implies we’ll possible see an replace to the venerable set-top field as quickly as 2024. On this article, we’ll check out what we would anticipate to see from a brand new Apple TV 4K.
Total Design
Apple hasn’t executed a lot over time to vary the design of the Apple TV, and it’s more likely to stand pat on that in 2024, with little to no adjustments to the gadget’s outward design. There may be, in spite of everything, little you are able to do to vary the design of a black field. We’ll possible proceed to see a boring little sq. field that admittedly does an honest job of becoming in on tv stands all over the place.
A New Processor
The present Apple TV 4K boasts the identical A15 Bionic chip that powered the iPhone 13 lineup and the usual iPhone 14 fashions. Whereas we’ll possible see the 2024 Apple TV 4K use an up to date chip, anticipate that to be the identical A16 chip that was utilized in final yr’s iPhone 14 Professional and is used on this yr’s iPhone 15 fashions, as Apple doesn’t usually design chips completely for the Apple TV lineup.
Nonetheless, there’s a chance Apple might take an enormous step and use this yr’s A17 Professional chip from the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max. That might make some sense, as the brand new chip would enable the Apple TV to run console-quality video games. We’ve been listening to rumors for the previous a number of years that Apple has a extra highly effective “gaming” Apple TV within the works, and the brand new A17 Professional could be the key to lastly making that occur.
The A17 Professional is Apple’s first chip primarily based on TSMC’s first 3-nanometer chip, which boasts a 6-core GPU that helps hardware-accelerated ray tracing for the primary time. This could enable for console-like video games, similar to Resident Evil 4, which is able to quickly be out there on the iPhone 15 Professional collection, enabled by the A17 Professional.
Nonetheless, there have been rumors of Apple’s aiming for a lower cost level with the brand new Apple TV lineup. Utilizing such a model new, cutting-edge processor might show to be too costly for the brand new fashions — except Apple plans to additionally launch a higher-tier “Apple TV Extremely.”
Connectivity
Whereas we haven’t seen any rumors a few Wi-Fi replace for a brand new Apple TV, it might occur. Apple’s present iPhone 15 Professional fashions supply WiFi 6E connectivity, and Apple is rumored to be working to carry Wi-Fi 7 to the iPhone as quickly because the 2024 mannequin yr.
Whereas present Apple TV 4K fashions supply Wi-Fi 6 help, bumping wi-fi connectivity as much as Wi-Fi 6E would supply improved streaming and downloading of content material and apps — no less than for these with suitable house routers.
As for Ethernet, Apple at present gives a Wi-Fi-only mannequin of the Apple TV 4K, in addition to a mannequin that helps each Ethernet and Wi-Fi. That can possible proceed to be the connectivity possibility for a 2024 Apple TV 4K lineup. The Apple TV might additionally get a bump to Bluetooth 5.3.
A Extra Inexpensive Apple TV 4K?
There have been rumors a few worth drop for brand new Apple TV fashions, as Apple provide chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned final yr that the following Apple TV might be extra inexpensive, presumably hitting the underneath $100 “candy spot.”
At present, the Apple TV 4K’s base worth is $129 for 64GB storage with WiFi-only connectivity, so it’s doable that Apple might both debut a brand new mannequin at a lower cost level or, they may supply the present mannequin as a lower-priced possibility alongside an up to date mannequin with improved specs.
When Will the New Apple TV 4K Launch?
Most observers anticipate to see Apple debut a brand new Apple TV 4K someday in the course of the first half of 2024. It could possibly be unveiled virtually any time in the course of the upcoming yr although, as Apple has launched new Apple TV 4K fashions in September 2017, Could 2021, and November 2022.
As is common for reviews like these, that is all conjecture in the meanwhile, as nothing might be official till Apple makes an official announcement about its plans for its common set-top field.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]