3 causes subsequent 12 months’s Apple TV 4K is price ready for

Apple has launched a ton of latest merchandise this 12 months, together with its iPhone 17 series and loads of new iPads, however sadly, the one I have been ready for the longest, and I am positive many others have been as nicely, did not arrive: the new Apple TV 4K.

All 12 months lengthy, rumors circulated that the brand new Apple TV 4K would launch this 12 months, however now that only some weeks stay till the clock strikes 2026, it is not possible the brand new Apple TV 4K will arrive in 2025. As an alternative, Apple might be holding off till early subsequent 12 months.

That is little doubt a bummer for me. I not too long ago upgraded my TV to the OLED LG C5, and one of many issues I wished to pair it with most was a brand new Apple TV 4K. Presently, I take advantage of a Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which is sweet sufficient, however since I am so closely ingrained within the Apple ecosystem with my Mac, iPad, and iPhone, I used to be trying ahead to pairing my new TV with the Apple TV 4K this 12 months.

Whereas I may decide up the present third-generation Apple TV 4K, shopping for one now feels wasteful, given {that a} new mannequin is predicted in 2026. Sure, I admit, it is often not ultimate to take a seat round ready for the following large tech improve — as there’s all the time one thing new on the horizon — however on this case, I believe it is smart.

The present Apple TV 4K launched in 2022, and spending over $100 on {hardware} that is probably to get replaced very quickly by one thing considerably extra highly effective would not look like the perfect use of cash, particularly when my Fireplace TV Stick can get the job accomplished within the meantime. With that in thoughts, listed below are the three large causes I am holding out for the brand new Apple TV 4K — and why you would possibly wish to as nicely.

A much-needed chipset improve

The A17 Professional may energy the brand new Apple TV 4K

There have been loads of rumors concerning the subsequent Apple TV 4K, however the one which appears most believable to me is a serious chipset improve. The present mannequin makes use of Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, which debuted within the iPhone 13 lineup again in 2021. It has been a stable performer for the third-generation Apple TV 4K, however Apple’s newer chips have seen important enhancements, particularly by way of energy and AAA gaming capabilities.

The upcoming Apple TV 4K is rumored to feature Apple’s A17 Professional chip, which might be an enormous efficiency increase. It first appeared within the iPhone 15 Professional and 15 Professional Max, the place the A17 Professional was touted for its potential to run AAA video games like Murderer’s Creed Mirage and Resident Evil 4. Including this stage of energy to the Apple TV 4K would imply two issues: a lot quicker, extra responsive efficiency throughout the complete machine and the flexibility to run AAA video games — one thing the present mannequin can’t do.

After all, this stays hypothesis, nevertheless it’s onerous to think about Apple not choosing a a lot beefier chip in its subsequent Apple TV 4K, particularly if it plans to introduce extra superior AI options. And that leads on to my subsequent level.

Apple Intelligence help

Fireplace TV has Alexa+, Google TV has Gemini, Apple TV wants Apple Intelligence

Another excuse I am ready for the brand new Apple TV 4K is for a function I would be very shocked to see it launch with out: Apple Intelligence. Whereas the rollout of Apple Intelligence hasn’t been the smoothest — lots of the promised options, together with the revamped Siri, are nonetheless pending — AI has develop into a serious a part of fashionable TV platforms, whether or not we prefer it or not. Having Apple Intelligence on the brand new Apple TV 4K could be genuinely helpful, particularly since Apple is sort of assured to develop its capabilities over time.

Amazon already gives Alexa+ on its Fireplace TV gadgets, and Google is beginning to ship Gemini on its TV merchandise, just like the Google TV Streamer, so it would not be shocking if Apple added Apple Intelligence help to the brand new Apple TV 4K. And if the brand new Apple TV 4K is powered by the A17 Professional — the primary chip to help Apple Intelligence — it makes it much more probably.

Probably the most important Apple Intelligence replace for the upcoming Apple TV is probably going the brand new Siri, which is a extra conversational and customized assistant that competes with Alexa+ and Gemini. Apple first previewed this improved Siri at WWDC 2024, however earlier this 12 months, it delayed its release till 2026. I’ve a sneaking suspicion that one purpose the brand new Apple TV 4K did not launch this 12 months is due to that delay — Apple is likely to be ready till each the {hardware} and the most recent Siri are able to ship collectively.

Upgraded Wi-Fi

The upcoming Apple TV 4K may help Wi-Fi 7

I take advantage of Wi-Fi to attach all my streaming gadgets to the web as a result of it is a lot simpler than hardwiring them. Due to developments in Wi-Fi requirements, particularly Wi-Fi 6E, I have not encountered any points. My Fireplace TV Stick 4K Max helps Wi-Fi 6E, and I’ve by no means skilled dips in high quality or buffering. The present third-generation Apple TV 4K helps Wi-Fi 6, which is not essentially unhealthy, however higher choices can be found now.

That is why the rumored Wi-Fi improve within the new Apple TV 4K is so interesting. The machine is predicted to function a customized Apple chip with Wi-Fi 7 help (by way of MacRumors). Earlier this 12 months, Apple launched the N1 chipset within the iPhone 17 collection, which helps Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Since that is an in-house Apple-designed chip, it will make sense to incorporate it within the new Apple TV 4K — particularly if Apple desires to maintain prices down. Once more, that is based mostly on a rumor/leak, so it isn’t assured to occur. However both means, I would be shocked if the brand new Apple TV 4K did not help Wi-Fi 7, or on the very least Wi-Fi 6E.

Total, the primary causes I am ready for the brand new Apple TV 4K are the rumored upgrades to its chipset, Apple Intelligence help, and improved Wi-Fi. I do not thoughts the present Apple TV 4K’s design, so whether or not Apple modifications it or not would not actually matter to me; it is all concerning the higher {hardware} and options, which I believe might be definitely worth the wait and the fee. Hopefully, the brand new Apple TV 4K will lastly be launched early subsequent 12 months.