The rumor mill has been churning for a while about a 2025 refresh of the Apple TV 4K. Here's what to expect from the first update for the hardware in three years.
As Apple prepares to take the smart home more seriously, Apple TV 4K is central to that plan. It's the best device to watch Apple TV+ in your living room, it acts as a Home Hub for Apple Home, and it's now core to your party with a new karaoke mode.
The last time the Apple TV was updated was in 2022, though the update was relatively minor. Rumors have been swirling for some time about a refreshed model, so let's revisit what we've heard.
A quick recap
Since the last time we checked in on Apple TV rumors, much has stayed the same. All of the rumors that we broke down in our initial rumor roundup are still factual.
Since then, we've heard a bit more. Plus, we got our hands on tvOS 26, which can help us draw further conclusions about the new hardware.
From a high level, the 2025 Apple TV 4K is rumored to retain its puck-like design, though it reportedly will be a bit smaller. Two models will still be likely, with the higher-end unit sporting additional connectivity options like Ethernet and Thread.
The high-end Apple TV has an Ethernet portIt will have a new, faster processor on the inside beyond the A15 Bionic that is in there now. Finally, it will use Apple's in-house wireless chip, codenamed Proxima.
What more have we heard?
Starting with the internals, Apple could use the A17 Pro, A18, or A18 Pro chip on the inside. There hasn't been proper confirmation, but it will surely be one of these three, if not the A19 chip.
It's widely assumed that the new Apple TV will support Apple Intelligence, which does require at least 8GB of memory and an A17 Pro or later. The current Apple TV 4K only has 4GB of memory, so the new box would be at least double that.
The new Apple TV will look similar to the existing oneApple Intelligence would be a major benefit for Apple's set-to-box. Siri would be more useful, understanding you even if you stumble over your words.
The voice assistant would be able to offer follow-up questions and have more contextual awareness. Plus, on-device-powered recommendations would be much better than what we have now.
Aside from the processor and memory, we saw further evidence of Apple's work on the Proxima chip. A YouTube video cites an internal build of iOS acknowledging the chip.
Analysts Ming-Chi Kuo as well as Jeff Pu both believe Apple is working on Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 versions of its wireless chip. It's hopeful that the 4K streaming box would support the latter — especially with such infrequent hardware updates.
Liquid Glass comes to Apple TV with tvOS 26Finally, we got the beta release of tvOS 26. We did a deep dive on tvOS 26, which contains a number of new features, but it's the changes to FaceTime that may point to something more.
Apple has seemingly put a lot of effort into the FaceTime and phone call interfaces with this update. There are new call notifications, a more personal FaceTime app, and real-time captions for FaceTime calls.
While a long shot, it could be hinting at a new Apple TV with an integrated camera. Currently, users need to prop up their iPhone or iPad in front of the TV to use FaceTime or other video conferencing apps.
A camera-equipped Apple TV has been rumored for ages. If not alluding to a camera on the Apple TV, it will surely be part of the new smart home display that is based off of tvOS.
New Apple TV 4K Release date
We'd originally hoped to see the new Apple TV 4K in early 2025. After the delay of its smart home display and next-gen Siri, it makes sense to have the Apple TV delayed as well when they have so much in common.
Bloomberg also updated its timing based on people familiar with the matter, shifting the prediction to the second half of 2025. It could arrive with new rumored HomePods too.
As HomePod and HomePod mini can be used as speakers for the Apple TV, it makes sense that they would all be announced together.
We'll see how it all shakes out soon enough.
