Apple is still on track to launch its next-generation Apple TV, and the latest suggests that the upgrade will arrive between September and December this year. The current model was launched back in 2022, and the new variant will mark the company's first major streaming box refresh in three years. The new Apple TV will bring a handful of new additions to the table, including upgraded internals for better apps and game support.
Apple’s next Apple TV could transform home entertainment with a built‑in FaceTime camera, faster connectivity, and powerful Apple Intelligence features
The news was reported by MacRumors, and sources have told the publication that one of the notable upgrades could be the company's custom-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips. With the new chips onboard, we can expect the connectivity to receive a serious boost with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 standards. What this means is that the set-top box will be able to deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and better smart-home connectivity, especially with accessories using the Thread mesh networking. Apple's custom chips will also reduce its reliance on Broadcom while keeping the cost of the product at bay.
From what we have heard over the past few months, the upcoming Apple TV could be powered by the A18 or A19 chips, the company's most advanced mobile chips, which will allow the device to push performance on par with the latest iPhone models. The extra power is expected to enable Apple Intelligence on the Apple TV, which could be an important addition with support for more apps, possibly adding more functionality. Apple Intelligence support could bring smarter Siri interactions, more personalized content recommendations, and improved voice control.
We have also previously reported that FaceTime could be coming to the Apple TV with a dedicated camera, which could also be used for gesture-based navigation controls without the Siri Remote. However, do take these updates with a grain of salt as nothing has been confirmed as of yet, but if the news has any heft to it, we might see a Vision Pro-style experience in the living room.
Despite these upgrades and new features, Apple could bring the price of the Apple TV down to $100 for the base version, making it an appealing option compared to Amazon Fire TV and Roku. However, some expect that the price will stay close to $129 to $149, depending on the configuration and region. On the software front, the device will launch with tvOS 26 installed, which introduces features like FaceTime Live Captions, Thread 1.4 support, and karaoke features that would be conjoined with the new Liquid Glass redesign. All of these features will work together to make the new Apple TV a more central unit for entertainment as well as a smart-home hub.
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