Apple is preparing to unveil the successor to the Apple TV 4K, which launched in spring 2022. It’s now clear that the next-generation device will feature significant hardware updates. According to new code references uncovered by MacRumors, the device will transition from the A15 Bionic to the A17 Pro chip, which is currently featured in the iPhone 15 Pro models.
The New Apple TV 4K Model Will Be Released
The A17 Pro is expected to increase the Apple TV 4K’s CPU and GPU performance by 15% to 30%. However, the most notable change is that the A17 Pro will be the first A-series chip to support Apple Intelligence. This means that, theoretically, the new Apple TV will be equipped to run Apple’s large language model infrastructure.
However, it remains unclear how Apple Intelligence features will function on a set-top box like the Apple TV. Current Apple Intelligence capabilities include text-writing tools, notification summaries, and visual analytics. Many of these features don’t directly translate to a television-based user experience.
If a dedicated AI integration into tvOS is on the horizon, such innovations aren’t expected to be released before 2026, given Apple’s Siri redesign. For example, scenarios like users using natural language to jump to a specific scene in a TV show or more advanced voice control features are likely. However, such features aren’t expected to be available in the near future.
The new Apple TV model will also feature Apple’s own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. Furthermore, improvements to the remote control are also possible. The addition of a small speaker, specifically for “Find My” support, has been a long-requested change.
