2025 Apple TV 4K: All the Rumors So Far

[iSayuSay]

Strange thing is this.

The Apple TV is, for me, hands down the best streaming box on the market.
...

Agreed .. Even as today, all TVs has some sort of built-in OS, I keep buying Apple TV box for each TV I set in the house.

Some would say that it's redundant, but it's an excellent streamer with least hiccups on the market. It has the best color and skin tone render out there, with latest Apple chip inside. Yes your player and TV platform apparently matters because it could affect the overall picture quality on your TV. Not all streaming apps and boxes are equal, and Apple TV is actually one of the best. Check out this Q & A 👇

 

[Wrylachlan2]

It’s never going to get an A17 Pro. The N3B node that the A17 Pro is built on is an evolutionary dead end that neither TSMC nor Apple want to continue. Next year’s iPhones will be an A18 and A18 Pro both on the N3E node and that will be the end of N3B. So there’s no way Apple throws an A17 Pro in a device that will linger for another 2-4 years.

An A16 also seems a bit unlikely. Apple could have used the N4 node for the new Apple Watch chips, but they stuck with N5P from the A15. That should tell us that the cost difference wasn’t worth the performance difference. The same dynamics impact the Apple TV.

So my guess is either no AppleTV in 2024 or an A18-based model in the fall with a price hike and a focus on gaming.

 

[AlexJaye]

seems to me these tv do not need the
the…
that port we used to reach the internets in the late 90s?
ummm
whats that thin yello or grey rope with plastic cat rg7 plug called again?

If I'm reading this conglomeration right, hard disagree. I would never want to buy an Apple TV without an ethernet port. My house has good WiFi, but it is a big house and the performance is never the same as plugged directly in. If I didn't use the Apple TV as my main streaming device in the game room, sure, but, then I wouldn't need an Apple TV.

 

[k27]

If I'm reading this conglomeration right, hard disagree. I would never want to buy an Apple TV without an ethernet port. My house has good WiFi, but it is a big house and the performance is never the same as plugged directly in. If I didn't use the Apple TV as my main streaming device in the game room, sure, but, then I wouldn't need an Apple TV.

Without AV1 decoding support, preferably in hardware of course, Apple doesn't need to introduce a new AppleTV. It actually needs at least an A17 (for decoding in hardware).

 

[120FPS]

If Apple are going to attempt console gaming then surely an M3 chip would be better if they can make it work in regard to costs and increase storage to 256GB for AAA game storage (which is still too low, but regrettably we know how Apple likes to do this). I’m sure they can carry on selling the previous model at a cheaper price to keep the entry level costs approachable and charge this model closer to a console.

I really like the Apple TV, it has made my TV usable as the OS that comes with a Smart TV is usually awful and TV manufacturers use slower Wifi/Ethernet. If I was a TV manufacturer I really wouldn’t bother making it smart instead focus on better image quality but I am assuming they make extra money on userdata and TV manufacturing may not be profitable.

 

[Pezimak]

• Any additional Ultra Blu Ray advantages are matched if not exceeded so there is truly no hardware advantage to Blu Ray

Incorrect. At least those of us that have fully kitted home theaters. AppleTVs Atmos rides on a highly compressed DD+5.1 codec. 4K discs offer massively higher bit rates for Atmos. Along with DTS-MA, DTSHD, TrueHD. All of which sound much more dynamic, punchy, or whatever word for “THIS SOUNDS EPIC” fits.

I use my ATV for a lot of content, but for big flicks, always disc. The sound is worth it. Sound thrives on bit rates.

You’ll see I didn’t comment on picture. While AppleTVs video codec uses a lot more compression than disc, it looks pretty good. There’s been only a handful of scenes where I’d say the streaming version sucks compared to disc. I’ve done direct comparisons with my media.

In the end, it’s the less dynamic, almost DRC sound, the AppleTV provides for Atmos (and missing full DTS) that leaves me wanting. Due to how large those codecs are in the full disc mode. I don’t see them coming to streaming any time soon.

This, for my use Apple TV is perfectly fine, but I just use my TV speakers. For proper full on surround sound setups the Nvidia Shield TV is regarded as better due to its support for sound being far better. And of course Blue Ray players are better too.

 

[stocklen]

Well, they haven’t meaningfully updated tvOS in… I want to say ever, but that’s probably too harsh. The latest update made icons smaller and removed the ability to easily turn your tv off for older remotes. I was very impressed with their accomplishment.

But, what else do you expect a TV based OS to do?

Very imaginatively they introduced FaceTime which was unexpected but....

You are there to find and play content - thats all.

Compare TVOS to FireOS - Fire is horrible, cluttered, and busy with ads everywhere.

Apple, keep TVOS simple, uncluttered, and down bow to pressure to start adding functions that just aren't necessary on a set top box that is there to stream TV.

 

[stocklen]

Agreed .. Even as today, all TVs has some sort of built-in OS, I keep buying Apple TV box for each TV I set in the house.

Some would say that it's redundant, but it's an excellent streamer with least hiccups on the market. It has the best color and skin tone render out there, with latest Apple chip inside. Yes your player and TV platform apparently matters because it could affect the overall picture quality on your TV. Not all streaming apps and boxes are equal, and Apple TV is actually one of the best. Check out this Q & A 👇

Yes I dont care one bit for ANY Televsion's in built OS - I dont care how good it is.

A TV for me is has a SINGLE job to do - act as a monitor for my chosen peripherals such as AppleTV and PS5 etc. I choose my interface.
I dont need TV OSes to do anything even though they try hard to be relevant. Also, if you rely on a TV's built in OS and the apps that are provided, they will soon become out of date as they will cease to be supported as the TV ages. The TV still works and has a great picture but the OS is now clunky and slow bogged down with old apps that no longer works.

Replacing a TV is hard, expensive, and unnecessary. Keeping up with the latest features, functions and apps is easy just upgrade or replace your plugin set top box.

 

[MBAir2010]

If I'm reading this conglomeration right, hard disagree. I would never want to buy an Apple TV without an ethernet port. My house has good WiFi, but it is a big house and the performance is never the same as plugged directly in. If I didn't use the Apple TV as my main streaming device in the game room, sure, but, then I wouldn't need an Apple TV.

yep
we forgot satire as a whole.
and how to react to satire,
not our faults,
satire does not sell Amazon products!

so
I looked at the back of the TV on the shelf,
and "yo and bho" there is not port for those bully cables!
I remember purchasing this last December since the 2012 gen 3rd tv was not long supported.
since I don't play hockey anymore does this device serve a purpose?
I can sent that back to  for dismantling....

these are great streaming device with or without the port!

 

[krspkbl]

apple tv with A17 pro would be impressive and give sony/microsoft something to think about. i'd love to see Apple take gaming more seriously.

 

[sos47]

i wish some modern colors to choose. the black is boring.
perhaps same colors as homepod minis, imacs etc

 

[NickTuesday]

apple tv with A17 pro would be impressive and give sony/microsoft something to think about. i'd love to see Apple take gaming more seriously.

Because of the Iphone, Apple makes a fortune in gaming without really putting any effort into it. It's as though Apple has no real understanding of gaming but benefits despite that. Apple probably up to this point has probably had a good enough attitude, although they seem to be taking small steps into the larger world of gaming, but it will probably be another decade for something substantial to come of it.
I often wonder how things might have turned out if Apple had not the rug pulled under them by Microsoft with Halo?

 

[insomniac86]

When talking about potential chips in the new Apple TV, the article failed to mention the fact that you would want the A17 Pro due it having AV1 codec support? Isn’t codec support important for a media player device?

 

[joker00]

Unfortunately the nvidia shield is still better with video and sound options.

I have both, use the appletv mostly, but for plex, movies or quality viewing I use the shield.

 

[Plutonius]

Lots of competitors in this field and Apple only has just over 14% of the market.

Apple should be partnering with TV manufacturers to get Apple TV built into TVs like other competitors do.

 

[NickTuesday]

Unfortunately the nvidia shield is still better with video and sound options.

I have both, use the appletv mostly, but for plex, movies or quality viewing I use the shield.

I wonder why Nvida is sleeping on the Shield? I think it probably has the most potential of all boxes from a consumer/hacker standpoint (16gb is lousy though). I think were coming up on 5 years withought an update.

 

[vpr611]

Why not make an Apple TV with the A16 and an Apple TV Pro with the A17Pro chip for people who want the better gaming capabilities. That would follow the iPhone model in terms of features and price points.

I like this idea, however I’d rather see them slim down the A16 version into a dongle or stick type design; that way it would be easier to travel with While the Pro device could take over the larger format set top box.

 

[d4cloo]

Nowadays all Smart TV’s have all streaming apps built in, so what’s the added value of Apple TV at this point?

To an earlier poster suggestion, a console and home hub might do it, but then Apple has to step up their… gaming game. They don’t really seem to understand gaming set aside mobile games.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

Apple really missed the boat on smart home devices. Our house is filled with Alexa devices - and eight iPhones.

You let that Alexa crap in your house? What a privacy nightmare.

Absolutely none of that is allowed to be connected to my network or power anywhere in my house. That goes for Ring crap too. Just no.

If it's not HomeKit, it's not here. As little as I trust Apple, I trust all of the others FAR less.

 

[user314159]

AV1 support in the pipeline is critical, especially with 60fps HDR youtube content. My M2 computer can't play 8K HDR AV1 from youtube without stuttering (I have an 8K display).
Would be nicer to have a generally faster CPU/GPU on Apple TV, as I still perceive a lag when switching content or browsing through titles on netflix or other media apps.

 

[darkelipse04]

AV1 support in the pipeline is critical, especially with 60fps HDR youtube content. My M2 computer can't play 8K HDR AV1 from youtube without stuttering (I have an 8K display).
Would be nicer to have a generally faster CPU/GPU on Apple TV, as I still perceive a lag when switching content or browsing through titles on netflix or other media apps.

Can it play 4K HDR AV1 without stutter? Or how about 1080p AV1? Majority will not be playing 8k anything.

 

[user314159]

Can it play 4K HDR AV1 without stutter? Or how about 1080p AV1? Majority will not be playing 8k anything.

4K HDR 60FPS AV1 playable without stutter or lost frames. M2 laptop heats up though.
irdgaf about the majority honestly, 8K is highly important to me. plus, I really do feel that downsampled 8K footage on a 4K or 6K display looks better than 4K footage.

 

[Zaius the Doctor]

The Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen doesn't have the same A15 as in iPhone 13 does it? Wasn't it reported (on MacRumors too) that the ATV's A15 is a 5-core CPU + 5-core GPU variant? The iPhone 13's A15 is a 6-core CPU + 4-core GPU. The iPhone 13 Pro's 15 is a 6-core CPU + 5-core GPU.

There's so much potential with the ATV that Apple is missing. Don't think of it as a streaming box. It can be a dedicated home hub for news, home security, parties, gaming and also streaming video.

Apple already has News. Apple already has weather from DarkSky. Apple already has HomeKit. If there were a dashboard (ideally customizable) that could show the news, weather and video feeds then people could turn on their TV and ATV and have everything there at once. Revenue potential for Apple would be further News subscriptions.

For parties Apple already has Music and Music Sing. Use the iPhone as a mic and iPhone or iPad as a camera. What's missing is a great karaoke app. They already have SharePlay for video watch parties so extend the idea to music. Also bring in Fitness for group fitness with friends. Apple how do you not see the $$$ here for Fitness subscriptions?

 

[Verified Whiskey]

will continue to use the same slimmed-down black plastic body from the current Apple TV model.

I wonder if Apple will move away from plastic with the bigger push on green products.

 

[Verified Whiskey]

There is also the possibility that the Apple TV 4K will have the A17 Pro chip used in the iPhone 15 Pro models, as that would give the Apple TV the capability to play console-quality games, a rumor from years back. The A17 Pro is Apple's first 3-nanometer chip, and it includes a 6-core GPU that's able to support hardware-accelerated ray tracing for the first time, enabling games with more realistic graphics. Several console games like Resident Evil 4 and Death Stranding will be coming to the iPhone 15 Pro thanks to the A17 Pro chip.

This is what needs to happen if they want to get into gaming. Once that’s done, the ball really is in the developer’s court to get AAA games onto the tv. The power will be there.

At this point it might be that Apple needs to literally dump money into the developer’s to pay them to port it to the ecosystem.