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

Wanting 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 prompt 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 anticipated to “showcase” Siri’s new customized AI capabilities coming in 2026.

Whereas the look ahead to the brand new Apple TV 4K continues, one rumor specifically 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. Nevertheless, 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 in every of its headline options was its skill to play AAA console video games. Apple showcased titles like Murderer’s Creed Mirage and Resident Evil 4 operating 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 be able to play for free with a Netflix subscription.

The purpose I am making an attempt 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 system to run AAA video games — doubtlessly making it the primary streaming system to take action with out counting on cloud gaming.

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

Proper now, Apple Arcade titles are the one native gaming possibility on Apple TV, and the choice is fairly restricted. Whereas the variety of AAA video games out there on iOS can 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 primarily based on a rumor, and my hopes and desires for AAA gaming on Apple TV stay precisely that — hopes and desires — till Apple lastly formally unveils the brand new Apple TV 4K and what it is able to. Nevertheless, what provides me hope concerning the chipset rumor particularly is that it is also tied to one in every of Apple’s greatest software program pushes lately.

The brand new Apple TV 4K is anticipated to assist Apple Intelligence

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

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

It is onerous to think about Apple releasing a brand new Apple TV 4K with out Apple Intelligence assist — particularly as rivals proceed to combine AI into their streaming platforms, similar 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 assist 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 percentages are fairly good that it’s going to. If the following Apple TV 4K does assist Apple Intelligence, it would want a chipset highly effective sufficient to deal with it — and the A17 Professional matches 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 shocking, as it will 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, except for reviews suggesting that it is early subsequent yr. I simply hope it arrives sooner somewhat than later in 2026, as I am keen to choose one as much as change my Fire TV Stick 4K Max and, if my desires come true, hopefully use it to play AAA video games like Crimson Lifeless Redemption.