April 24, 2026, 6:10 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Since 2022, Apple has not released a new Apple TV streaming box. The third generation of the Apple TV 4K has become somewhat outdated, making it incompatible with new features. These are expected to arrive with the successor–but a bottleneck in Siri’s development is further delaying the launch.
Old Design, New Chip
Externally, no major changes are expected for the upcoming Apple TV. The casing is set to retain its familiar, slightly rounded square shape. The material is likely to remain black plastic.
According to “MacRumors,” the major innovations are primarily internal. The Apple A17 Pro chip is expected to serve as the central processor. Known from the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, it represents a significant upgrade over the A15 Bionic in the current model. Apple’s N1 network chip might also be part of the setup, supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread for smart home use.
Together with the A17 Pro, the new Apple TV should come with at least 8 gigabytes of RAM to utilize Apple’s AI tools around Apple Intelligence. Currently, the streaming box is the last standalone device that does not support Apple Intelligence.
Delay Due to New Siri Features
A17 Pro, 8 GB RAM, and Apple Intelligence–Apple has all of this readily available. The sticking point is the introduction of the new, smarter Siri. The new streaming box is apparently set to launch directly with the AI-powered voice assistant. However, it is not yet ready.
Also of interest: What new devices does Apple have in the pipeline?
The presentation is currently expected at the developer conference WWDC26 in June, along with tvOS 26. However, the actual release is likely to occur no earlier than fall 2026. Other devices, such as the long-awaited Home Hub–a smart home control center from Apple–are also affected.