The current Apple TV 4K was launched back in 2022, but new rumors predict that a next-gen version won’t appear at WWDC 2024 this month or anytime soon.
In his last Power On NewsletterBloomberg’s Mark Gurman predicts there will be no hardware announcements at WWDC 2024, which kicks off on June 10. That doesn’t include a new AirTag 2 (which apparently won’t arrive until 2025), and Gurman states that “a new Apple TV isn’t also imminent.”
Gurman previously predicted that Apple could launch a new Apple TV in the first half of 2024, although that rumor dates back to early 2023 and there has been little speculation about Apple’s streaming box since then.
The main rumors about a next generation Apple TV at the time were that it would have an upgraded processor like the A17 Pro. The latter would make sense given the more recent rumors that it’s likely a minimum requirement to use the new AI on Apple’s device. Analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo have also predicted that a new Apple TV could also reach a lower price than the current 64GB model of $129 / £149 / AU$219.
But recently we saw more interesting rumors surface that Apple could be planning to add a built-in camera to a future Apple TV. According to Mark Gurman, that camera could support both FaceTime video calling and gesture control, but it’s not clear whether the technology would be for Apple’s next streaming box or a future version.
Either way, it looks like we’ll have to wait a little longer for a refreshed version of the Apple TV 4K, although WWDC 2024 could still bring tvOS 18 news to existing owners…
Still the best streaming box?
The Apple TV 4K (2022) has arguably increased its lead at the top of our guide to the best TV streaming boxes by simply not plastering its home screen with ads. Ad creep has become a growing problem on Roku and Google TV devices, with Amazon also doubling its share of Prime Video ads – with Fire TV equivalents next.
So it’s a shame to hear that Apple apparently has no plans to update its streaming box, which is increasingly standing alone as a premium, ad-free experience.
The current 4K box is still more than capable, but the Apple TV could extend its lead by adding a new AI-enabled processor, better voice controls, and in particular the rumored remote control loss a lot could make it less annoying.
Still, existing owners could get a number of software upgrades at WWDC 2024. Last year at WWDC 2023, tvOS 17 delivered some pretty big upgrades, including FaceTime calling (via your iPhone or iPad) and a redesigned Control Center.
If WWDC 2024 unveils some similarly big new features – including perhaps support for video game streaming apps like GeForce Now – it will soften the blow of the increasingly long wait for a next-gen version of Apple’s streaming box.