This new Apple TV rumor has me extra excited than ever for 2026

Trying again at 2025, if there’s one tech rumor I want had come true, it is that Apple launched a new Apple TV 4K. The present third-generation Apple TV 4K launched again in 2022, and all year long, rumors urged a refresh was lastly on the best way. First, it was anticipated to debut at Apple’s iPhone occasion, then probably in October, after which later in November.

Now, with only some weeks left in 2025, it is clear the brand new Apple TV 4K is not launching this yr, making a 2026 launch all however sure. In November, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the Apple TV 4K was slated to be “up to date with new chips and in-house wi-fi parts,” and that if it did not arrive this yr, it “should not be far off,” and is predicted to “showcase” Siri’s new customized AI capabilities coming in 2026.

Whereas the look forward to the brand new Apple TV 4K continues, one rumor particularly has caught my consideration: the chipset that might energy it. In keeping with MacRumors, the next-generation Apple TV 4K could use Apple’s A17 Professional chipset.

The A17 Professional debuted within the iPhone 15 Professional and 15 Professional Max again in 2023, and whereas it is not Apple’s newest chip, it is nonetheless extraordinarily highly effective — particularly for a streaming field. Nonetheless, what excites me most about this rumor is what it may imply for the way forward for gaming on Apple TV.

The brand new Apple TV 4K may have the ability to play AAA video games

The A17 Professional is able to taking part in video games like Murderer’s Creed and Resident Evil

When Apple first launched the iPhone 15 Professional with the A17 Professional chipset, one among its headline options was its potential to play AAA console video games. Apple showcased titles like Murderer’s Creed Mirage and Resident Evil 4 working on the iPhone, and since then, extra high-profile video games have arrived, together with Dying Stranding, Hitman: World of Assassination, and Sniper Elite 4. Extra not too long ago, Rockstar Video games even launched a port of Crimson Lifeless Redemption for iPhone, which you’ll play for free with a Netflix subscription.

The purpose I am attempting to make is that the A17 Professional kick-started AAA gaming on the iPhone. If that very same chipset powers the following Apple TV 4K, Apple may allow the gadget to run AAA video games — doubtlessly making it the primary streaming gadget to take action with out counting on cloud gaming.

What makes this risk much more compelling is Apple’s rising help for controllers. With tvOS 26, Apple added help for the PS5 DualSense controller, permitting it to connect with Apple TV by way of Bluetooth for gaming and menu navigation. Xbox wi-fi controllers are additionally supported.

Proper now, Apple Arcade titles are the one native gaming choice on Apple TV, and the choice is fairly restricted. Whereas the variety of AAA video games obtainable on iOS can also be comparatively small, the flexibility to play full AAA releases would make the next-generation Apple TV 4K way more interesting — particularly if builders proceed porting each older and newer titles to iOS.

Once more, that is all based mostly on a rumor, and my hopes and goals for AAA gaming on Apple TV stay precisely that — hopes and goals — till Apple lastly formally unveils the brand new Apple TV 4K and what it is able to. Nonetheless, what provides me hope in regards to the chipset rumor particularly is that it is also tied to one among Apple’s largest software program pushes in recent times.

The brand new Apple TV 4K is predicted to help Apple Intelligence

Apple’s A17 Professional was among the many first chips to help Apple Intelligence

Past gaming, the A17 Professional chipset would additionally allow the following Apple TV 4K to help Apple Intelligence, Apple’s suite of AI options. The A17 Professional was the primary Apple chip to help Apple Intelligence, as earlier chipsets lacked the mandatory efficiency and capabilities.

It is arduous to think about Apple releasing a brand new Apple TV 4K with out Apple Intelligence help — particularly as opponents proceed to combine AI into their streaming platforms, comparable to Amazon with Alexa+ and Google with Gemini on Google TV.

With Apple set to roll out its revamped Siri for Apple Intelligence subsequent yr, first unveiled at WWDC 2024, it appears more and more probably that the following Apple TV 4K will help these options. As talked about earlier, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that the brand new Apple TV 4K will “showcase the brand new Siri and Apple Intelligence options,” so the chances are fairly good that it’ll. If the following Apple TV 4K does help Apple Intelligence, it’s going to want a chipset highly effective sufficient to deal with it — and the A17 Professional suits the invoice.

As for once we’ll lastly see the brand new Apple TV 4K, a launch in March or April subsequent yr would not be stunning, as it might align with the anticipated rollout of Apple’s revamped Siri. However that is purely hypothesis on my half, and the precise launch date of the brand new Apple TV 4K is unknown, other than reviews suggesting that it is early subsequent yr. I simply hope it arrives sooner slightly than later in 2026, as I am keen to choose one as much as change my Fire TV Stick 4K Max and, if my goals come true, hopefully use it to play AAA video games like Crimson Lifeless Redemption.