The latest version of the Apple TV dates back to 2022. Bloomberg predicted a new one in 2024, but the prediction did not come true. A scalded cat does not fear cold water among our colleagues: 2025 would be the year of a new vintage of the Apple TV 4K.
Home modem!
As a preamble, let us specify that this information is not from yesterday, or the day before yesterday; it comes from an article published on December 12, 2024. However, it has not changed since then. In the absence of new elements, the few predictions made by Marc Gurman remain relevant. Beyond the marketing of a fifth generation of Apple TV 4K in 2025, the other key element to remember is the integration of a modem developed by Apple and no longer by Broadcom for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless communications.
This in-house chip, codenamed Proxima, should allow Apple to free itself from its supplier (TSMC would be responsible for manufacturing). For the user, this change will result, according to the source, in support for Wi-Fi 6E.
Moreover, another product would be set to debut it. According to Bloomberg, “Apple will begin rolling out the combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip in new home devices planned for next year [that was December 2024], including refreshed versions of its TV hub and its HomePods mini smart speaker.”
New chip?
Other than that, there’s not much else to get your teeth into in terms of hardware. Apple updated its Apple TV 4K in October 2022. The company replaced the A12 chip with an A15 chip. This is far from obsolete these days. But the adoption of a more recent processor, in this case the A18, is of course not to be ruled out.
In this regard, in addition to the sustainability of the hub, two aspects could motivate the Cupertino firm. The first relates to video games. Apple is working with developers to offer more high-end titles on its iPhone, iPad or Mac. Until now, the Apple TV has remained the poor relation of this strategy. Equipping the device with a more powerful chip would pave the way for supporting more demanding games. This is already one of the added values of the current version compared to the old one.
The second point is of course the integration of more AI features; more specifically those of Apple Intelligence. The media outlet 9to5mac that relayed the Bloomberg article notably foresees the use of the hub's SoC by paired HomePods.
Finally, Mark Gurman had put back on the table the hypothesis of a real Apple TV - by which I mean an Apple television. According to him, such a product has not completely left the minds of the company's masterminds.
Source: Bloomberg
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