Apple’s current Apple TV 4K model was released more than two years ago and the rumor mill has it that a next-gen Apple TV model will launch in 2025.
Current rumors from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman have pointed to the new Apple TV and HomePod mini devices incorporating a combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip that Apple is said to be developing. The chip would support Wi-Fi 6E, which would be an upgrade over the current Apple TV’s standard Wi-Fi 6 support. Wi-Fi 6E extends the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz band, enabling faster wireless speeds and reduced signal interference with a compatible device and router.
While no major design changes are said to be in the works for the next-gen Apple TV, Gurman has stated that Apple is considering the addition of a built-in camera. 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 for video calls on the TV.
As expected the upcoming Apple TV is expected to feature a newer chip for faster performance. The current Apple TV is equipped with the A15 Bionic chip that debuted in the iPhone 13 models in 2021. Apple has released several newer A-series chips since then, including the A16 Bionic, A17 Pro, A18, and A18 Pro. The new model could also feature lower pricing, and noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that the next model could have a sub-$100 starting price. In the U.S., the current Apple TV is available with 64GB or 128GB of storage for $129 and $149, respectively.
It’s unknown exactly when in 2025 the new Apple TV would launch.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.