### Upcoming Hardware Refresh for Apple TV 4K
A refresh of the hardware for the Apple TV 4K set-top box is expected shortly, following the introduction of the existing generation in spring 2022, which is driven by the A15 Bionic chip. The next generation is anticipated to bring notable enhancements, such as a new Apple-designed WiFi and Bluetooth chip, along with a CPU upgrade.
Recent information, particularly from MacRumors, suggests that the new Apple TV will incorporate the A17 Pro chip, the same processor utilized by the iPhone 15 Pro. This shift from the A15 to the A17 Pro is projected to provide significant gains in CPU and GPU performance, with benchmarks indicating increases of around 15-30%.
One of the key technological advancements with the A17 Pro chip is its ability to support Apple Intelligence, which merges on-device processing with server infrastructure. This functionality requires devices with considerable computational strength and adequate RAM. The current model of Apple TV does not possess the necessary power to implement Apple Intelligence features, but the new version driven by the A17 Pro chip could feasibly accommodate them.
Regardless of the chip’s capabilities, Apple’s plans for the incorporation of Apple Intelligence within the home entertainment space are still vague. Many existing Apple Intelligence functionalities, like writing tools and notification summaries, do not easily translate into a set-top box format. However, there is potential for enhancements in tvOS with TV-specific AI features. For instance, users might navigate to particular scenes in a show using natural language requests. Furthermore, an upgraded Siri could greatly improve the Apple TV experience, though a full redesign of Siri is not anticipated until at least spring 2026.
Taking all this into account, it seems improbable that the forthcoming Apple TV will be heavily promoted based on Apple Intelligence features. Instead, the emphasis will likely be on how the A17 Pro chip boosts performance for gaming and prepares the device for future Siri enhancements.
Should the new Apple TV debut in 2025, it will probably be seen as a slight specifications upgrade refresh. There are also rumors that the remote might finally add a speaker feature, enabling users to use the Find My app to track it if lost.
