Despite being ‘nearly ready,’ new Apple TV delayed until fall
Despite being ‘nearly ready,’ new Apple TV delayed until fall
The plan is to align the new hardware drop with the release of the latest Siri and Apple Intelligence updates.
For ardent Apple enthusiasts, the day that they have waited for appears to be approaching, but the company is reportedly delaying the release of the new Apple TV device in an effort to align it with other corporate plans. While streaming services, including Apple TV, have long used machine learning to help with content recommendations, Apple is waiting to debut its latest TV hardware so that it aligns with its latest Siri and Apple Intelligence updates. While that might not be the most exciting reason to delay the release for most Apple TV fans, it is promising that the long-awaited new hardware appears to be essentially ready to launch later this year.
Key Details:
- Countdown to fall: Reporting from Bloomberg indicates that the new Apple TV device will be released this fall.
- On hold: Despite the fact that the device is essentially complete, the debut is being held in order to accommodate AI updates.
- Nothing major: The chief change to the hardware is expected to be its chip, while the device will maintain its traditional look.
According to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has already completed the hardware for refreshed versions of the Apple TV set-top box, as well as the HomePod mini. The devices have reportedly been finished for months and are currently being used by employees at Apple’s headquarters.
Despite users anticipating a new Apple TV device for nearly a year, it now appears that the company will wait to debut the new hardware along with the next wave of Siri and Apple Intelligence updates, expected in the fall. A frustrating delay for Apple TV users looking to upgrade their device, but one that Apple has been building toward across their entire product line, not just with TV.
For streaming customers, the most notable update is likely to come inside the next Apple TV box rather than outside of it, as the physical Apple TV product is expected to remain essentially unchanged. Additionally, Gurman reports that the new model is not expected to bring many major feature changes beyond a new processing chip. The current Apple TV 4K was released in 2022 and runs on Apple’s A15 chip. While the box remains one of the best premium streaming devices available, users who rely on it heavily may have begun to notice that it no longer moves as quickly as they have come to expect from other Apple products.
Gurman reports that the new model, code-named B525, will primarily focus on helping hardware capable of supporting Apple’s new AI features. However, even beyond AI enhancements, a faster chip could help streaming customers with more traditional TV-watching needs, including app loading speeds, navigation, voice control, and more. While it does appear that Apple is considering a small update to its remote, it appears that any changes would be internal, maintaining the familiar look of the sleek silver version of the current Apple TV device.
Apple has been regularly updating its tvOS 26 since launching last fall to continue preparing for Apple Intelligence integration, and the Apple TV device remains the most future-proof streaming hardware on the market.
For now, Apple users who have been waiting for a new Apple TV may finally get their chance later this year, but they should not expect any major reinventions of the historically sturdy, reliable product, beyond a handful of corporate modernizations that they may or may not use.
Apple TV
Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) is a subscription video streaming service for $14.99 per month, offering a growing slate of original series, films, documentaries, and specials. Unlike other platforms that combine licensed titles with originals, Apple TV is built entirely around exclusive programming, making it the home of critically acclaimed hits such as “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” and “Silo.” Its lineup continues to expand with award-winning dramas, comedies, family-friendly shows, and blockbuster original films like “CODA,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.