Apple is likely to launch a new generation of Apple TV 4K after a leaked image in the company’s own software code revealed the name and design of a fourth-generation model. The leaked image indicates that Apple is sticking to the compact black design introduced with the current generation but the biggest changes are expected to come under the hood.
The leaked asset is said to carry the label Apple TV 4K (4th generation), and is a smaller square-shaped device that is generally in line with the Apple TV 4K launched in 2022. Apple has not officially announced the product, and details like launch date, pricing, processor, storage and final specifications are not known.
But there have been separate software-code discoveries and earlier reports of a big hardware upgrade. The new Apple TV has been linked to Apple's A19 generation of chips, with the A15 Bionic powering the current model being a major upgrade. The new processor could give the device more performance headroom for gaming, advanced applications and Apple's new AI-powered Siri.
Apple TV 4K 4th Generation Design
The newly released image seems to be the clearest indication yet that Apple is developing a successor to its current streaming box. Interestingly, there doesn’t seem to be a major external redesign planned for the next Apple TV 4K.
The current Apple TV 4K has a small black enclosure, and the leaked fourth-generation model seems to retain a very similar form factor. This would allow Apple to focus on internal improvements rather than introducing a completely new exterior design.
However, the image itself does not confirm the processor, amount of RAM, networking hardware, storage options or remote-control features. Those details have emerged via separate code findings and reports and should therefore be treated as expected specifications rather than officially confirmed features.
A19 Chip Could Be The Biggest Upgrade
The processor could be one of the most important changes in the next Apple TV 4K. Earlier reports had linked Apple's upcoming streaming box to the A17 Pro, but a newer identifier reportedly points towards an A19-generation chip.
If accurate, the move would also mark a few generations more advanced than the A15 Bionic in the 2022 Apple TV 4K. The extra processing capabilities could be especially useful if Apple expands the role of the TV box beyond streaming.
More recently, Apple has also reported that the new model could have 8GB or maybe 12GB of RAM. The current Apple TV 4K has 4GB of RAM. A substantial memory increase could provide more room for demanding applications and on-device AI features.
However, the exact configuration is still uncertain. A processor identifier in software does not prove the final memory capacity or the exact chip variant Apple will use in the retail product.
New Siri Could Be A Major Reason To Upgrade
Streaming video does not necessarily require an extremely powerful processor. The current Apple TV 4K already handles 4K streaming and popular entertainment applications smoothly. The potential arrival of Apple's newer Siri could be one of the biggest reasons for a more powerful fourth-generation model.
A more capable Siri would allow Apple TV users to do more natural searches, ask follow-up questions and interact with content with more conversational commands. A faster processor and bigger memory would also help Apple run more advanced AI features locally, though it hasn’t announced which Siri capabilities will be available on the new Apple TV.
For a device that could be in homes for many years, more processing power could also enable Apple to support future versions of tvOS without the hardware becoming outdated quickly.
Wi-Fi 7 And Apple's N1 Chip
Another addition is the N1 wireless networking chip Apple is rumored to be adding to Apple's next TV. Wi-Fi 7 was also linked to the next Apple TV is also a possibility, which would be an upgrade over the wireless technology available on older models in the past.
Wi-Fi 7 can improve wireless performance and efficiency with the help of compatible networking equipment. But it wouldn’t make an internet connection even faster than the broadband service. Its advantages would mostly be seen in networks and homes where compatible hardware and multiple connected devices are present.
Thread connectivity could also be important for Apple’s smart-home strategy. The current Apple TV 4K supports Thread on some configurations, and expanded networking capabilities could make the new model a more capable smart-home hub.
Revised Siri Remote Expected
The next Apple TV 4K will also come with an updated Siri Remote. Different code references have pointed to a new remote, although the leaked Apple TV image does not reveal the accessory.
The existing Siri Remote was released in 2021 and it was USB-C charging with the 2022 Apple TV 4K. This could bring in some new features but we don’t know yet.
HomePod Mini And iPad Mini Also Linked To New Hardware
The Apple TV leak was reported to have appeared alongside mentions of other unreleased Apple products. Apple’s software code shows a second-generation HomePod mini in green, pink, blue, white and black color.
The HomePod mini debuted in 2020 so a new version would be available in a couple of years without a major hardware update. Reports also indicated the speaker would have new internal components and wireless capabilities.
An upcoming iPad mini has also appeared in Apple's code. The tablet is embedded with an A20 Pro processor and has been linked to a redesigned speaker system and front camera on the landscape edge. The display has also been reported to have an OLED display, although that is not yet clear from these leaked images.
Should You Buy The Current Apple TV 4K?
A new Apple TV is the inevitable question for people. And anyone who actually needs a streaming device at hand can keep using the current Apple TV 4K that is capable of streaming the usual entertainment and Apple’s ecosystem features.
But if consumers aren't in a hurry, they would likely want to wait for Apple to announce the fourth generation model. The leaked image indicates that development has sped up drastically, and the A19 processor and memory increase could make the new model much more powerful.
Existing Apple TV 4K owners may have little reason to upgrade immediately. The current device will still be suitable for standard streaming, AirPlay and integration with Apple’s larger ecosystem. The value of the new model will be based on the new Siri features, smart-home support, gaming features, and price will be heavily dependent on how Apple’s new Siri and smart-home features, but will it be worth investing in the new model.
Apple TV 4K 4th Gen Launch Date
Apple has not announced an official launch date for the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K. The product in Apple's code shows that the company has gotten assets ready for the device, but does not reveal when it will launch the hardware.
The third generation Apple TV 4K was released in October 2022 and could be updated in the autumn. But without an official announcement we can't be sure when it will launch and we can only guess at a date. For now, the biggest takeaway from the leak is that Apple appears to be working on a new Apple TV 4K without radically changing its exterior design. The real upgrades could be inside the familiar black box, with a newer A19-generation chip, more memory, improved wireless connectivity and support for Apple’s evolving Siri potentially transforming the device into a more capable living-room computer.
