It’s been the best part of four years since the previous Apple TV 4K arrived – and it seems certain that we’ll get a new version of the streaming box soon. Yet nothing appeared (rather disappointingly) at Apple’s March 2026 event or in the product reveals around it.
Now that we’ve got a revamped version of Siri called Siri AI, this looks about to change, and we’re expecting an updated Apple TV Pro or revised Apple TV 4K to debut at Apple’s ‘Welcome Home’ launch on October 13 2026 – here’s what to expect from the behind closed doors event. The new streaming box will also be joined by an updated HomePod Mini and HomeView smart display too.
It seems the reveal has been awaiting the new Apple Intelligence-infused version of Siri, which – after some hand-wringing – is powered by Google’s Gemini.
The 3rd-gen Apple TV 4K is a very capable streamer, so we’re not expecting hugely groundbreaking new features to debut in terms of the hardware itself. We have long lamented that Apple doesn’t care a huge amount about the Apple TV box’s development. Indeed, nowadays there’s a genuine question why one should even exist since many smart TVs have the Apple TV app and support Apple’s AirPlay 2 content streaming tech.
The latest version of the Apple TV’s software introduced the Liquid Glass interface alongside other features such as improved viewing recommendations and better profiles. Apps can now auto-sign in using your Apple Account. FaceTime has also been improved.
What will the 2026 Apple TV be called?
In case you hadn’t seen the news, Apple has rebranded its TV+ streaming service to just ‘Apple TV’ so I think any new Apple TV streaming box will most likely get a new name of some description – and given Apple’s penchant for all things ‘Pro’, Apple TV Pro is a good shout. This would position the Apple TV hardware’s premium features over and above the app available on smart TVs and elsewhere
MacRumors has discovered an “image file from Apple for an unreleased Apple 4K” that cites the Apple TV 4th generation by name. According to the image discovered by the contributor, Apple will stick with the familiar hockey puck design for the fourth generation model in the series. Not that it matters too much for a device that largely sits out of view around the television.
Indeed it would be rather surprising if Apple debuted a new design for the Apple TV – it is smaller than it once was and could get smaller still. But there are some physical limitations due to the HDMI and network ports (Ethernet will surely still be supported for certain users) and there just isn’t the requirement to shrink it down.
We’d expect a very similar remote given this was refreshed in 2022 and given that it already had the now-universal USB-C. It may be more overtly based around Siri, though.
How much will it cost?
Another big talking point will be the price. Apple raised the price of Apple TV and other products in June and in doing so pushed the Apple TV 4K 3rd generation price up to $199. That’s outlandishly expensive given the price of the competition from the likes of Amazon, Google and Roku.
In late 2024 analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted a $99 price point for a new model but I think this is very unlikely given the new hardware would be aimed at premium users who want more than just casting to their TV. I’d expect it to be $199 again, which is still rather high.
Apple TV Pro expected specs
Traditionally the Apple TV has used an A-Series chip usually found in an iPhone; the current box has an A15 Pro. The firm will almost certainly use a recent production chip rather than something older, narrowing the choice down to either the A17 Pro or A18 Pro.
The A17 Pro seems most likely as it is also used in the iPad mini released in late 2024, and is the minimum chip required to support Apple Intelligence. Another possibility is that we might get the A18 Pro from the MacBook Neo, though we’d still bet on the A17 Pro because of a lower price point. And because the chips in the MacBook Neo appear to be running short. This processor was first seen in the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023 and it powers the iPad mini too, so yes, it’s still an old chip by Apple standards.
Importantly, Apple may also double the RAM to 8GB, which would allow for the bulk of the Apple Intelligence features to work including Siri AI.
With an A17 Pro (or higher) on board, the Apple TV Pro could also be pitched as an affordable gaming system. Apple got big-name developers to port AAA titles for the first time with this chip generation, including the likes of Death Stranding, Hitman: World of Assassination, and Sniper Elite 4. This would be a big step up from the Apple Arcade releases currently available on the big screen. PS5 DualSense and Xbox wireless controllers are already supported over Bluetooth on the current Apple TV.
No doubt the box will support all the latest standards, including Dolby Vision and Wi-Fi 7 (rather than Wi-Fi 6E) and reports suggest it may use Apple’s own chip for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. This would most likely be the same N1 chip as has now appeared in the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 series. This chip would also have support for the Matter and Thread smart home protocols, too.
Recent updates
- 7 January 2026: added AAA gaming possibilities to expected specs section.
- 12 February 2026: added more info about Apple’s A17 Pro processor and Apple March launches.
- 25 February 2026: added more clarity around the upcoming 4 March event.
- 3 April 2026: added latest rumors.
- 15 May 2026: added latest rumors and more information about the revamped Siri.
- 8 July 2026: Added details and links about Siri AI
- 10 September 2026: rumors post-iPhone event
- 13 October 2026: comprehensive pre-launch update
