When to Expect a New Apple TV to Launch

It has been nearly a year and a half since the current Apple TV was released, so the device is becoming due for a hardware upgrade. Below, we recap rumors about the next Apple TV, including potential features and launch timing.

apple tv 4k yellow bg feature
The current model is the third-generation Apple TV 4K, announced in October 2022. Key new features compared to the previous model from 2021 include a faster A15 Bionic chip, a larger 128GB storage option, a slightly thinner and lighter design, HDR10+ support, a USB-C port on the Siri Remote, lower pricing, and more.

Launch Timing

In January 2023, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that a new Apple TV would be released in the first half of 2024. If that timeframe remains accurate, a new Apple TV would be released by the end of June. If so, the device could be announced in a press release on Apple's website, or unveiled during the WWDC keynote on June 10.

Gurman has not commented on the next Apple TV in recent months, and his report was published nearly 15 months ago, so it is unclear if the device remains on track to launch in the first half of 2024 or if Apple's plans have changed.

Announcement dates for recent Apple TV models:

  • Third-generation Apple TV 4K: October 2022
  • Second-generation Apple TV 4K: April 2021
  • First-generation Apple TV 4K: September 2017
  • Apple TV HD: September 2015

Rumors

Faster Chip

The next Apple TV will be equipped with a faster processor compared to the current model, according to Gurman's report last year. It's unclear which chip will power the device, but possibilities include the A16 Bionic chip that debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro models or the A17 Pro chip that debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro models.

Lower Price

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the next Apple TV to be "more affordable" than the current model. He said a "sub-$100 price" would be the "sweet spot" for the Apple TV, but exact pricing for the next model remains to be seen.

Both the second-generation (2010) and third-generation (2012) versions of the Apple TV were priced at $99 in the U.S. at launch, and Apple eventually lowered the price of the third-generation model to $69, so there is precedent for a sub-$100 Apple TV that would better compete with low-priced streaming devices sold by Google, Amazon, and Roku.

In the U.S., the current Apple TV starts at $129 with 64GB of storage, and a 128GB model with an added Ethernet port is available for $149.

Same Design

The new Apple TV will have the same external design as the current model, Gurman said.

Apple said the A15 Bionic chip's increased power efficiency allowed for the fan to be removed in the current Apple TV, resulting in the device having a more compact design that is around 12% thinner and around 50% lighter than the previous model.

Apple TV With Camera

A future Apple TV could have a built-in camera for FaceTime and other video calling apps, Gurman said in his Power On newsletter a few days ago.

tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for users to have video calls by using the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad. If the Apple TV gained a built-in camera, users would no longer need to rely on an external device.

It is unclear if a camera would be added to the next Apple TV or a later model.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

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Top Rated Comments

abatabia Avatar
13 months ago
As with most of apples hardware lately, the software is what needs updating. The Apple TV is also in the camp. The hardware is just fine, but the bugs across the board of all their devices is what really needs work.
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
guzhogi Avatar
13 months ago

How to fix a problem like Apple TV.

The reality is with TV's now coming with built in streaming software and the proliferation of cheap streaming sticks it makes less sense to be getting an Apple TV. It needs to offer more and two obvious routes are:

[LIST=1]
* Bundle or offer as an accessory a camera to attach and place below or above your TV to use for FaceTime
* Produce an Apple designed game controller to use with Apple Arcade. There's no point trying to compete with Sony or Microsoft here with AAA games, but more casual gaming is a big thing and could be a big draw if Apple actually gave a damn. The current arrangement of using PS5 controllers with half of the buttons not working doesn't sell the experience well, maybe something similar to the Wiimote would be an interesting approach.

Maybe these accessories could then help subsidise a cheaper price for the main device. Getting a sub $99 price would really help shift these.
I miss the days of "dumb" TVs/monitors. I don't need them to have every service under the sun, which often does them at a mediocre quality. I prefer a TV with just a couple HDMI ports, maybe coax for an antenna. Then I'll add what the services I want. AppleTV, BluRay, cable box, whatever. Then if one thing breaks, I can just replace that rather than the entire thing.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rychiar Avatar
13 months ago
using mine less and less with Vision Pro quickly becoming my main media device
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kiranmk2 Avatar
13 months ago
Not really sure what the point of a new Apple TV is. The A17 Pro still isn't fast enough to play AAA games (look at the reviews for RE4 / RE Village on iPhone 15 Pro) and I don't think the A16 adds much over the current A15. M-series chip maybe, but that is bound to increase the price, rather than decrease it.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
suchnerve Avatar
13 months ago
AV1 hardware decoder sorely needed
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Squuiid Avatar
13 months ago
"Apple said the A15 Bionic chip's increased power efficiency allowed for the fan to be removed in the current Apple TV, resulting in the device having a more compact design ('https://www.macrumors.com/2022/10/18/new-apple-tv-4k-fanless-design-thinner-lighter/') that is around 12% thinner and around 50% lighter than the previous model."

Yeah, and it now consistently throttles due to excess heat. Hoping the new one will be better in this area.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)