Honestly, if you've been refreshing Apple's "TV & Home" page every Tuesday morning hoping for a stealth drop, I feel your pain. We were all pretty much told to expect a new box by the end of 2025. It made sense, right? The current 2022 model is getting a little long in the tooth, even if it’s still faster than basically every "smart" TV interface ever made.
But here we are in early 2026, and that rumored Apple TV 4K 2025 refresh has seemingly shifted into the "early 2026" bucket.
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It’s frustrating. But there’s a real reason for the holdup. Apple isn't just trying to sell you a faster way to watch Severance or Slow Horses. They’re trying to turn this little black puck into an AI powerhouse.
The A17 Pro "Problem"
The biggest open secret is the chip. Every credible leak, from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman to supply chain analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo, points to the A17 Pro.
Wait, why does a streaming box need a chip from the iPhone 15 Pro?
It’s not for Netflix. Your current A15 Bionic handles 4K HDR just fine. The real reason is Apple Intelligence.
Apple is currently overhauling Siri to be actually, well, useful. We’re talking about a version of Siri that understands context, remembers what you were looking at three minutes ago, and doesn't just say "I found some web results for that" when you ask a complex question. To run those LLMs (Large Language Models) on-device without lagging out your remote, you need the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) inside the A17 Pro or better.
Plus, there’s the RAM issue. The current model has 4GB. Apple Intelligence famously needs 8GB.
What the A17 Pro actually unlocks:
- Console-class gaming: We’ve seen Resident Evil Village and Death Stranding run on iPhones. Putting that power in a fanless box under your TV makes it a legitimate alternative to a Nintendo Switch or a budget Xbox.
- Faster UI: Not that the current one is slow, but jumping between 4K streams would become basically instantaneous.
- Better Scaling: Using AI to upscale 1080p content to 4K in real-time with fewer artifacts.
The Camera Controversy
This is the one that divides people. There have been a ton of rumors about a built-in camera for the Apple TV 4K.
Some people think it’s a brilliant move for FaceTime and Center Stage. Others? They don't exactly love the idea of an Apple-branded eye staring at them from the media console while they're eating cereal in their pajamas.
The current theory is that Apple might skip the built-in lens on the "standard" Apple TV and instead lean harder into Continuity Camera. You already use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac; why not just dock it near the TV for a video call?
However, there’s a wildcard: a separate "Home Hub" device with a screen and camera is also in the works for 2026. Apple might be saving the "built-in camera" feature for that specialized hardware rather than sticking it in the base streaming box.
Networking and the "Proxima" Chip
Nobody gets excited about Wi-Fi specs, but you should probably care about this one. Apple has been working on its own internal networking silicon, nicknamed "Proxima."
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The new Apple TV 4K is expected to jump to Wi-Fi 7.
If you’ve ever had your movie buffer right at the climax because someone else in the house started a massive download, Wi-Fi 7 is the fix. It uses the 6GHz band to stay out of the way of your neighbor's ancient router. It’s about stability, not just raw speed.
Combined with the N1 networking chip, we're looking at much better Bluetooth range too. That means fewer "Why won't my game controller connect?" moments when you're sitting ten feet back on the couch.
Is the Price Finally Dropping?
There’s a persistent rumor that Ming-Chi Kuo started about Apple targeting a sub-$100 price point.
I’ll be honest: I'm skeptical.
Apple usually doesn't race to the bottom. They like the $129-$149 sweet spot. But with Roku and Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max selling for $50 or less, Apple is losing the "bedroom TV" market.
A cheaper, plastic-heavy version of the Apple TV 4K could help them win back people who just want a clean UI without the ads that clutter up Google TV or Fire OS. But if they put an A17 Pro inside, that's an expensive chip. It’s hard to see how they hit $99 without subsidizing the hardware through Apple TV+ subscriptions.
The Remote: If It Ain't Broke...
Don't expect a massive redesign of the Siri Remote. It moved to USB-C recently, and the clickpad is generally well-loved.
The one thing people actually want? Precision Finding. Adding a U1 or U2 chip to the remote would let you use your iPhone to find it behind the couch cushions with an arrow pointing the way. It’s such an obvious win that it’s almost weird they haven't done it yet.
What You Should Actually Do Right Now
If you are currently using an Apple TV 4K (2022) with the A15 chip, stay put. You aren't missing anything life-changing yet. The A15 is still a beast.
If you are using an old "HD" model or an original 2017 4K model, you're probably noticing some stuttering. In that case, you have a choice. You can grab the current 2022 model on sale—usually around $100–$115 at big-box retailers—and you’ll be happy for another four years.
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But if you care about Apple Intelligence and want to use the "new Siri" when it eventually launches later in 2026, you absolutely have to wait for the A17 Pro model. Putting money into an A15 device right now is essentially buying into a "legacy" Siri experience.
Actionable Steps:
- Check your current model: Go to Settings > System > About. If it says "Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation)," you’re fine. Don't upgrade.
- Audit your Wi-Fi: If you plan on getting the 2026 model for its Wi-Fi 7 capabilities, remember you’ll need a Wi-Fi 7 router to actually see those benefits.
- Wait for the Spring Event: Historically, Apple loves a March or April window for home products. If we don't see an announcement by May 2026, the "2025" model was likely pushed back to align with a major tvOS 20 overhaul in the fall.
The Apple TV 4K remains the best "premium" experience in the living room, but the 2025/2026 transition is all about shifting from a "dumb" streamer to an AI-driven home hub. If you don't care about AI, buy the current one on sale. If you do, keep your wallet closed for a few more months.