Apple’s Next Apple TV 4K Could Arrive Tuesday With an AI-Ready Chip

Apple is expected to introduce a new Apple TV 4K on Tuesday, October 13, ending a wait that stretches back to October 2022. The announcement is likely to come through an Apple Newsroom press release rather than a full keynote, according to MacRumors, with hands-on coverage expected from invited reporters and creators at an event in New York beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern Time.

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A chip and memory jump aimed at Siri AI

The most consequential changes are rumored to be internal. The new model is said to carry either an A19 or A19 Pro chip, paired with 8GB to 12GB of RAM. That would be a substantial step up from the current Apple TV 4K, which uses an A15 Bionic chip and 4GB of RAM.

The chip and memory upgrade is reportedly what would enable Siri AI support on the device. Apple has not confirmed the exact processor or memory configuration, and the specific Siri capabilities that would arrive remain unannounced.

Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 on the way

Connectivity is expected to improve as well. The new Apple TV 4K is rumored to include Apple’s N1 chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. Wi-Fi 7 promises faster speeds and lower latency than the Wi-Fi 6 used in the current model. Bluetooth 6.0 would likewise replace the Bluetooth 5.0 in the existing Apple TV 4K.

Those changes could matter for streaming quality and for accessories, though Apple has not detailed how the new radios will be used.

Same exterior, revised Siri Remote

A leaked suggests the new Apple TV 4K will not change its external design. The familiar black box appears to remain. What is expected to change is the Siri Remote: a new version has been referenced in Apple software code, indicating a revision is in development. Apple has not said what the updated remote will look like or which buttons it will carry.

Price already higher before launch

Pricing for the new model has not been announced, but the current Apple TV 4K already costs more than it did earlier this year. In June, Apple raised the U.S. starting price from $129 to $199, citing surging memory chip costs. That increase is already in effect, so the new model will arrive into a higher-priced lineup than the one it replaces.

Apple has not confirmed the announcement date, the final specifications, availability or pricing. The event is expected to produce hands-on photos and videos from New York, but the full feature list will only be known once Apple makes it official.