Cupertino, CA – Apple is reportedly planning to refresh its Apple TV 4K set-top box in late 2025, nearly three years since the last update, with new features and significant hardware enhancements.
The next-generation Apple TV 4K is slated for release “toward the end of the year,” aligning with Apple’s traditional fall product launch cycle, likely in October or November 2025. Historically, September is reserved for new iPhone and Apple Watch models, sometimes accompanied by AirPods, while October often features Mac updates, and occasionally iPads and other miscellaneous products. Based on Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman’s report, an October announcement is a strong possibility, but it is equally plausible that the device will ship in November, mirroring the release patterns of some new Mac models in the past. This timeline suggests that the gap between the 2022 model and its successor will be approximately three years, a notable period in the fast-paced consumer electronics market.
The new Apple TV 4K is expected to include several key enhancements. One confirmed inclusion is a new Apple-made Wi-Fi modem, anticipated to deliver significant networking improvements, particularly beneficial given Apple’s expanding ecosystem of Home devices. Enhanced Wi-Fi capabilities could lead to more seamless connectivity and improved performance for smart home accessories integrated within the Apple HomeKit framework, fostering a more robust and reliable smart home experience for users.
A potentially significant addition is a built-in camera, hints of which have been discovered within tvOS 26, the operating system that powers the Apple TV. A camera could open up new use cases for the device, ranging from video conferencing on the big screen to interactive gaming experiences or even enhanced smart home security and monitoring. The integration of a camera would represent a substantial shift in the Apple TV’s functionality, transforming it from a mere entertainment hub into a more comprehensive home communication and interaction device.
The new Apple TV 4K is also expected to support “some level of Apple Intelligence features,” referring to Apple’s recently unveiled suite of artificial intelligence capabilities designed to enhance user experience across various Apple platforms. While many current AI features might not directly translate to tvOS, the core expectation is a more capable and intuitive Siri. A more advanced Siri on the Apple TV could facilitate more natural voice commands for content search, device control, smart home automation, and potentially even proactive suggestions based on user behavior and preferences. To adequately support these advanced AI capabilities, the next Apple TV 4K will require a significant upgrade in processing power and memory, likely including a more powerful chip, such as the A17 Pro or the forthcoming A18, along with upgraded RAM.
User feedback highlights a desire for enhanced multi-stream capabilities. As one user, David, commented, “I hope added hardware might allow multi-stream between different apps. If I want to watch two games at once in the ESPN app, that’s easy. But if one of those games happens to be on CBS or Netflix, it’s not possible.” This sentiment underscores a common user frustration and suggests a potential area for improvement in simultaneous content viewing across different streaming services, a feature that could significantly enhance the entertainment experience for sports fans and multitaskers alike.
Beyond these projected enhancements, many aspects of the new Apple TV 4K remain unknown. The market is eager to see what other innovations Apple might introduce to differentiate its set-top box in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape. The company’s strategy for the device will likely focus on leveraging its robust ecosystem, integrating seamlessly with other Apple products and services, and perhaps introducing new content experiences that capitalize on its enhanced hardware and AI capabilities. As the 2025 launch window approaches, more details are expected to emerge, shedding further light on Apple’s vision for the future of home entertainment.
