Apple TV+ is having a big year, but the Apple TV 4K streaming box still awaits its first revision since 2022—and that update is coming. Here are four features to expect when the new Apple TV 4K arrives later this year.
#1: A17 Pro or A18 chip upgrade
The current Apple TV 4K model launched in late 2022 and packed what was then a pretty modern chip: the A15 Bionic.
But Apple’s silicon efforts continue achieving new heights, and demanding software like Apple Intelligence and newer games require an upgraded chip.
The A17 Pro or A18 chips are the most likely candidates for the new Apple TV 4K.
Either option is capable of enabling AI features, plus giving Apple’s set-top box a big gaming upgrade just in time for the new Games app.
#2: Apple Intelligence support
This should come as no surprise, since Apple has been gradually adding AI to its full suite of products.
Though Apple Intelligence originally only supported iPhones, iPads, and Macs, Vision Pro gained it this spring, and watchOS 26 brings it to the Apple Watch.
Expect to see AI features in the new Apple TV 4K too.
What can AI do for a TV viewing experience, you ask? Earlier this year, Amazon showed off its AI-powered Alexa+ assistant on Fire TV, and examples included:
- Getting personalized TV recommendations based on your current mood
- Jumping to different scenes with only a brief description
- Getting info on music after-the-fact from any part of a show or film
#3: Apple’s first Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip
Apple stirred a lot of buzz with its new C1 modem in the iPhone 16e. C1 was years in the making, and comes with several advantages over Qualcomm’s modems—and more on the horizon.
But Apple has another years-long connectivity project nearly ready to debut: its own in-house Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip.
This new chip will be included in the upgraded Apple TV 4K. Mark Gurman says it will ultimately lead to several improvements.
- “Apple’s goal is to develop an end-to-end wireless approach that is tightly integrated with its other components and more energy-efficient”
- “With a homegrown wireless chip in Apple’s smart home devices, the products will work more closely together and potentially synchronize data more quickly”
As with the C1, Apple likely has several advantages in mind for its home-grown chips that we’ll have to wait for the full unveiling to learn.
#4: Wildcard: Built-in camera
This change seems a little less certain, but last year when discussing Apple’s smart home ambitions, Mark Gurman mentioned the company was weighing adding a camera to its next Apple TV 4K.
He writes:
It has discussed…offering a revamped Apple TV set-top box with a built-in camera for FaceTime videoconferencing and gesture-based controls. And the technology will all work seamlessly with both the iPhone and Vision Pro.
In this AI era, rumors have indicated that several new Apple products will soon boast cameras—including AirPods and smart glasses.
Adding a camera to the Apple TV 4K makes sense not just for potential AI benefits, but also the two use cases Gurman mentions: video calls and gesture-based controls.
FaceTime is already a feature of tvOS, and a great one. Currently though, you have to use your iPhone’s Continuity Camera feature to enable FaceTime.
tvOS 26 has FaceTime changes that hint a built-in camera might be coming, lending further support to the feature’s arrival.
New Apple TV 4K features: wrap-up
The expected features above are just a sampling of what Apple could have in store for its new Apple TV 4K. Since the device tends to sit several years between updates, Apple generally packs plenty of new features into each hardware update.
What features do you want added to a new Apple TV 4K? Let us know in the comments.
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