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Apple TV: The Latest Rumors About a New Model and Possible $99 Price

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It has been over a year and a half since the current Apple TV was released, so you may be wondering when a new model will be released. Below, we recap rumors about the next-generation Apple TV, including new features and lower pricing.

apple-tv-4k-yellow-bg-feature.jpg

The current Apple TV 4K was introduced in October 2022. Key new features compared to the previous model from 2021 include a faster A15 Bionic chip, a larger 128GB storage option, a slightly thinner and lighter design, HDR10+ support, a USB-C port on the Siri Remote, a lower $129 starting price vs. $179, and more.

In January 2023, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that a new Apple TV was on track for release in the first half of 2024:
Beyond the future smart displays and new speaker, Apple is working on revamping its TV box. A new version with the current design is in the works for the first half of next year with a faster processor, the people said.
Click to expand...
With only one month remaining in the first half of 2024, it is unclear if this timeframe remains accurate. A new Apple TV could be unveiled at the WWDC keynote on June 10, but no hardware announcements have been firmly rumored for the event.

Here is when the previous five Apple TV models were announced:

  • Third-generation Apple TV 4K: October 2022
  • Second-generation Apple TV 4K: April 2021
  • First-generation Apple TV 4K: September 2017
  • Apple TV HD: September 2015
  • Third-generation Apple TV: March 2012

Regardless of when it is unveiled, the next Apple TV is rumored to feature a faster processor than the current A15 Bionic chip, and even lower pricing. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that the next Apple TV could have a sub-$100 starting price.

Both the second-generation (2010) and third-generation (2012) versions of the Apple TV were priced at $99 in the U.S. at launch, and Apple eventually lowered the price of the third-generation model to $69, so there is precedent for a sub-$100 Apple TV that would better compete with low-priced streaming devices sold by Google, Amazon, and Roku.

No major design changes have been rumored for the next Apple TV specifically, but Gurman said Apple has considered adding a built-in camera to a future model. tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for users to have video calls by using the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad. If the Apple TV gained a built-in camera, users would no longer need to rely on an external device for video calls on the TV.

Should the WWDC keynote pass without any new Apple TV announcement, then there will no longer be any active rumor for when the next model might launch.

Article Link: Apple TV: The Latest Rumors About a New Model and Possible $99 Price
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/05/29/latest-apple-tv-rumors/
I dont know what more they can do outside of adding a USB C port to enable users to hook up a webcam for facetime calls. The current implimentation of FaceTime on Apple Tv is a bad joke. You got to mount your phone or connect an Ipad (It doesn't even work with a mac) and its just messy at best.

The simple solution would be for them to put out a new one with a USB C port so you can buy an overpriced seperate Camera and just have it all work like that.

Short of that, idk what you can do with the AppleTV anymore hardware wise.
 
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Yourbigpalal83 said:
I dont know what more they can do outside of adding a USB C port to enable users to hook up a webcam for facetime calls. The current implimentation of FaceTime on Apple Tv is a bad joke. You got to mount your phone or connect an Ipad (It doesn't even work with a mac) and its just messy at best.

The simple solution would be for them to put out a new one with a USB C port so you can buy an overpriced seperate Camera and just have it all work like that.

Short of that, idk what you can do with the AppleTV anymore hardware wise.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I feel like it's great at everything it does (sans FaceTime/Web calls are so-so but most people should just be using their laptop for those) so there's not much room for improvement. Unless they put an M-series chip into it -- that'd be hilarious
 
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Yourbigpalal83 said:
I dont know what more they can do outside of adding a USB C port to enable users to hook up a webcam for facetime calls. The current implimentation of FaceTime on Apple Tv is a bad joke. You got to mount your phone or connect an Ipad (It doesn't even work with a mac) and its just messy at best.

The simple solution would be for them to put out a new one with a USB C port so you can buy an overpriced seperate Camera and just have it all work like that.

Short of that, idk what you can do with the AppleTV anymore hardware wise.
Click to expand...
You mean the simple solution would be to include a camera.
 
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Two things they need to add.
1. an interface option, screen size option for 2.35:1 or 2.4:1. It would make my theater so much more enjoyable
2. some way to allow controls for controlling other devices, so I can control my aspect ratio of my projector.
I have 8 of AppleTvs, one on every tv, and it so nice that every TV works the same. If I had those two things, I would ditch my projector remote, and it would be utopia for me!
 
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cocky jeremy said:
I still have the original 4K. Do the new ones really run any faster?
Click to expand...

No. I own both and never notice any performance difference between them. I use them both daily with the 4K 3rd gen in my living room and the other in the master bedroom (1st gen 4K). The only thing I did was upgrade the remote on the 1st gen 4K to the new updated version for a consistent remote experience.
 
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I am always wondering when the next Apple TV will release.
Yourbigpalal83 said:
I dont know what more they can do outside of adding a USB C port to enable users to hook up a webcam for facetime calls. The current implimentation of FaceTime on Apple Tv is a bad joke. You got to mount your phone or connect an Ipad (It doesn't even work with a mac) and its just messy at best.

The simple solution would be for them to put out a new one with a USB C port so you can buy an overpriced seperate Camera and just have it all work like that.

Short of that, idk what you can do with the AppleTV anymore hardware wise.
Click to expand...
At least updating the chip every 1.5-2ish years is enough for me to always buy the newest and trickle down my older ones.
 
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cocky jeremy said:
I still have the original 4K. Do the new ones really run any faster?
Click to expand...
They do run a bit faster, boot up, load home screen, launch an app, launch the content, and if you actually run any apps/games (I don't), there's an even bigger difference there on loading and performance. The experience is just faster and snappier, but it's not insane.

Btw I have 5 TV's in the house, 2 4th gen, 1 4K1, 1 4K2, and 1 4K3. So i use all of them daily and there are definitely noticeable differences.
 
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For this first time I think I’ll get the higher storage option due to emulation being allowed now. I can only fit a couple PS1 games on now without running out of room. The faster processor will help on the DS games also.
 
My wishes for new version:

Please enable Hi-Res Lossless audio via HDMI. I would use an Apple TV for music mostly, and on my system I do hear the difference between the current Hifi 48kz offerings and what I get through Amazon Ultra HD through Heos. Though yah, I will still get the new version for even current quality which is still pretty great.

ALSO.. Reason I am waiting for a new one is because we do game on it occasionally, and I want to get rid of my Playstation permanently. If it is going to be better, even if it is just for arcade style games, I will wait. I just hate buying something, then knowing the new version is that much better. (And cheaper would hurt even more).
 
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Apple.Fanatic said:
No. I own both and never notice any performance difference between them. I use them both daily with the 4K 3rd gen in my living room and the other in the master bedroom (1st gen 4K). The only thing I did was upgrade the remote on the 1st gen 4K to the new updated version for a consistent remote experience.
Click to expand...
I have the first generation 4K AppleTV but can't play 4K videos on the YouTube app at 60 frames a second. 60 frames is only available at 1440p. Is 4K@60 possible with newer AppleTVs?

I can watch 4K@60 videos on the YouTube web site using my Mac Studio M1Max, but would prefer to use the AppleTV YouTube app to view them.
 
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cocky jeremy said:
I still have the original 4K. Do the new ones really run any faster?
Click to expand...
Nah not really. I have an original 4k on my tv in my rec room.. and a brand new third gen 4k in my bedroom... I don't notice any difference..... I do however have a firestick 4k in one of my guestrooms which is only about 10 months old and that thing is slow and lagging already. You get what you pay for.
 
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cocky jeremy said:
I still have the original 4K. Do the new ones really run any faster?
Click to expand...

Runs significantly faster if you're doing anything other than video streaming. The current model is pretty capable as an emulation box, while the 1st gen 4K just doesn't cut it.

That same use case is why I'm hoping for a current gen SoC in the new ATV. Being able to max out PSP emulation with all the bells and whistles would be grand.

Also many native games (like Wreckfest) need to have their settings dropped to low / medium to play decently on the latest ATV.
 
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