For years, no Apple product has been awaiting a successor as eagerly as the Apple TV 4K – and the finished hardware is supposedly only sitting in storage because of one missing component. With the unveiling of Siri AI at WWDC, the last major hurdle has now been cleared. What's in the new model, and when will the long wait end?
The current Apple TV 4K dates back to October 2022 and still uses the A15 Bionic chip – an unusually long product cycle for Apple. Multiple sources have been reporting for months that a successor is practically ready and waiting in warehouses. The launch wasn't delayed by the hardware, but by the software: the new, AI-powered Siri experience was meant to be the key selling point – and that's precisely what was taking so long to arrive. At WWDC, Apple finally demonstrated with Siri AI what the device has been waiting for all this time. The Apple TV is just one component of a larger smart home initiative, the timeline of which extends to 2028 and includes, in addition to the streaming device, new HomePods and a Home Hub.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Chip | A17 Pro (3 nm), newer generation conceivable |
| RAM | 8 GB (double the capacity of the current model) |
| Connectivity | N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread |
| Siri | Siri AI based on Apple Intelligence |
| Remote control | Revised Siri Remote possible |
| Price | Starting at $129, a cheaper entry-level option is conceivable |
| Market launch | late 2026, more likely October than September |
Why the start took so long
The AI-powered Siri experience is based on Apple Intelligence and differs fundamentally from previous voice control systems. Originally slated for spring 2026, it was repeatedly delayed and ultimately tied to iOS 27 and the associated system updates in the fall. Since Apple explicitly intends to position Apple TV as a showcase for this feature, a market launch without it made no strategic sense. The same dependency applies to the also-pending HomePod mini and the long-rumored Home Hub. With the official unveiling of Siri AI, this obstacle has been removed – the feature will initially be released as a beta and is expected to be rolled out widely in the fall.
What the new Apple TV 4K is supposed to contain
The exterior design is unlikely to change, but there will be a noticeable leap under the hood.
More performance thanks to the A17 Pro and double the RAM
The aging A15 Bionic is set to be replaced by the A17 Pro – a chip manufactured using a 3-nanometer process, which brings hardware-accelerated ray tracing for improved game graphics and lays the foundation for Apple's intelligence features. At least as important is the RAM: reports indicate that Apple is doubling it to 8 GB, thus creating the technical basis for AI calculations to run directly on the device for the first time. Because the launch has been delayed for so long, it's also considered possible that an even newer chip like the A18 or A19 will ultimately be used.
Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via the N1 chip
Apple's own N1 chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7 including the 6 GHz band, will handle the wireless connection. This is particularly relevant for a streaming device because the 6 GHz band allows for faster and less congested connections. Bluetooth 6 is also included for more stable connections with controllers and headphones, as well as Thread for direct communication with smart home devices.
Siri AI as a key innovation
The real innovation lies not in the hardware, but in the user experience. With tvOS 27, Siri AI arrives on Apple TV – an LLM-based assistant that answers more complex queries, provides context-aware recommendations, and integrates more closely with the smart home ecosystem. The catch: The current model, with its 4 GB of RAM, doesn't meet the requirements for Apple Intelligence – only the new hardware with double the memory will unlock the full range of features. The extent of this leap in functionality is also evident in the broader tvOS 27 update that Apple is releasing simultaneously.
That Apple is indeed preparing the platform for this is now evident directly in the code: In the second developer beta of tvOS 27, developer Filipe Espósito discovered explicit references to the new, Apple Intelligence-based Siri generation during the HomePod setup process. This is noteworthy because Siri AI doesn't yet run on any Apple TV or HomePod model – a reference deep within the setup code is therefore considered a strong indication that the feature is being prepared for this device class. At WWDC itself, Apple hadn't mentioned Apple TV and HomePod when introducing Siri AI; this code discovery fills that gap.
A possibly new Siri Remote
The remote control could also receive an update. According to the latest report, the Siri Remote is to be revised in some unspecified way – whether this involves visible design changes or purely internal adjustments remains unclear.
The price: a more affordable entry is possible
There are signs of movement regarding the price. The current Apple TV 4K starts at $129; analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that Apple could offer a cheaper entry-level version for around $100, either additionally or as an alternative. This would broaden Apple's price range for the streaming device and position it more effectively against cheaper competitors.
When is the market launch realistic now?
With the introduction of Siri AI, the most significant uncertainty has been eliminated. The feature will initially appear as a beta later this year and is expected to become widely available this fall along with iOS 27, tvOS 27, and the other system updates—the perfect opportunity for the new Apple TV. The latest report suggests that the device could be released at any time this year, alongside a new HomePod mini.
Instead of the already packed September keynote focusing on the new iPhones, an October event primarily dedicated to the Mac is now considered the more likely venue. Devices of this magnitude – including the Home Hub as a completely new product category – hardly fit into a simple press release and will likely be given their own dedicated presentation.
Siri AI launches in the EU with restrictions
One caveat remains for the German-speaking market: Siri AI will initially launch in English, with other languages to follow gradually. The feature will not be activated on iPhones and iPads in the EU for the time being – Apple cites regulatory requirements related to the Digital Markets Act, among other things. The situation is inconsistent across device categories: Macs and Apple Vision Pro will receive Siri AI in the EU, while the Apple Watch is effectively tied to the paired iPhone and therefore excluded. Since the restriction is not based on technical limitations but rather on the regulatory classification of iPhones and iPads as core platforms, it is currently unclear how Apple will categorize HomePod and Apple TV. Whether the new voice control will be available on the HomePod hardware at launch in Germany is therefore uncertain – nothing is confirmed. This very question is likely to be the crucial factor for the German-speaking market regarding the new Apple TV.
Apple TV 4K: buy now or wait?
If you already own a working Apple TV 4K, waiting is clearly the better option: The new chip, the larger RAM, Wi-Fi 7, and especially Siri AI combine to provide several compelling reasons to justify the delay. From our perspective, the matter is clear – now is not a good time to buy a new one. However, if you urgently need a streaming device and the new AI features aren't important to you, the current model remains a solid choice: It will continue to receive updates and still delivers excellent 4K HDR picture quality.
The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / Karlis Dambrans)
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