What to expect from the 2026 Apple TV 4K: Siri AI, Siri Remote, better networking, more! - AppleInsider
The new Apple TV will probably look like the old one. The Apple TV 4K would be only one smart home-related update Apple plans to make. But at the very least, the Apple TV 4K is one of the more likely to surface.
Wed Aug 19 2026, 01:25 PM EDT · 3 minute read
It has been a long time in coming, but Apple is preparing at least two big changes to the Apple TV 4K. Here's what we know about the streaming set-top box update set to finally arrive in the fall of 2026.
Previous updates to the Apple TV haven't been that major over the years, as there's only so much you can improve with a streaming box. However, that doesn't seem to be the case for the next iteration of Apple TV 4K.
Thanks to a pair of leaks that stem from Apple itself, there are two big confirmed changes on the horizon.
With any luck, there may be even more.
The first big one is fairly obvious when you consider iOS 27 and other operating systems that Apple is currently beta-testing. Siri AI is a big feature in all of them, and will also appear on Apple TV.
Apple has a new Device Hub, which is used to test apps on different devices. It was used to discover that there's a Siri app listed in the tvOS 27 interface.
This is not just an app, but also the improved Siri. A reference to "campos," Apple's internal code name for Siri AI has appeared, implying it will be functional in tvOS 27.
This seems like a good sign for owners of earlier Apple TV 4K models which could also get Siri AI, but don't hold your breath.
The current Apple TV 4K, introduced in 2022, uses the A15 Bionic chip. However, Apple Intelligence requires the A17 Pro or later to function, making Siri AI's appearance on older Apple TV models doubtful.
We don't know how Siri AI will work on the new Apple TV 4K, as attempts to use the app from Device Hub brings up an error. It doesn't stop us from speculating.
A good guess would be for it to be more accurate when giving answers to your questions. It should also handle mumbles and stumbling over words in commands, as well as conversational queries with follow-up questions.
If iOS 27 is anything to go buy, we may even see personal context on the Apple TV. At the very least, we should see a lot more consistency between the Apple TV and other Siri-enabled devices.
The other Apple-derived leak is a brand new Siri Remote. This time, a macOS build had identifiers for a number of products, including a Siri Remote marked as "ATVRemote1,5."
That tells us nothing new about the remote, other than it will be a new model in some way.
Hopefully Apple adds ultra-wideband to the Siri Remote this time.
Our best guess is that the new Siri Remote will look closely like the current version, as there haven't been that many complaints about it.
What could change is Find My support, as the current Bluetooth-based tracking that works with the Remote app is terrible. We hope that Apple adds an ultra wideband chip and a speaker in the remote to help find it.
Not just from an iPhone. Imagine asking a HomePod to tell the remote to beep.
While these are the main changes that Apple has slipped up and leaked for itself, you can expect others to be coming in with the new Apple TV.
The obvious is a new chip, which happens each generational change. This time, it could be at least an A17 Pro, to enable Apple Intelligence.
The new Apple TV will probably look like the old one. But it's what is inside that counts.
Apple may also decide to incorporate its N1 networking chip in the Apple TV, too. That would include support for Bluetooth 6, Thread, and Wi-Fi 7, if beta code from June is accurate.
While not rumored, it would be nice to see more storage capacity in the Apple TV 4K, and also native AV1 support.
The Apple TV 4K would be only one smart home-related update Apple plans to make. Another long-rumored choice that is just as likely to appear is a new HomePod mini.
There's also the rumored Home Hub, which acts as a central control for your home devices. The Apple TV 4K is a home hub in its own right, but the physical version would give more direct control to home users.
That device should also benefit from other things, like a camera and alarm detection, and on the wilder side, some form of tabletop robot.
We don't know exactly how much Apple will be showing off this fall in this category. But at the very least, the Apple TV 4K is one of the more likely to surface.
Based in South Wales, Malcolm Owen has written about tech since 2012, previously for Electronista and MacNN. His interests include photography, magic tricks, game development, and annoying his cats.
Those are some pretty underwhelming features to get people to upgrade.
But that really just shows how rock solid the current Apple TV 4K is. It’s fast, reliable, great remote, faultless WiFi, picture, sound.
Mine shows zero signs of ageing; it’s one of Apples best products IMO.
I agree. AppleTV (the box) is the "hidden gem" in the Apple lineup: mostly ignored by Apple Marketing, many people don't seem to grasp the big difference between the box and the service with the same name that is an app on their TV, etc.
I have one hooked to every TV in the house… and recommend them to anyone who asks. If I didn't make my living on a a Mac all day, I'd claim it is the most used Apple thing I own. Yes, more than "the precious" and its bigger cousin. 😉
Paired with HDHomeRun hardware and the incredible Channels DVR app, it is my modern-day Tivo deluxe for local and cable TV with all streaming options built in too: "one box to rule them all."
One of mine conked recently and I'm looking forward to this new one. A member of my family also had their OLD HD model conk and I'll get them one too. Neither buy is for a smarter Siri but just an up-to-date replacement. Unless Siri+ does amazing things, I suspect it will get used as much as it does now on existing AppleTVs- not at all. Nevertheless, IMO: AppleTV (the box) is the greatest!
I have NOT found the Apple TV to be rock solid. I have the most "recent" ATV4K, and it throws the sound out of sync on multiple streaming services; a different service each day. Is it the ATV? —Yes; tested in many ways. Interweb has many pages devoted to this issue. Turn power off, turn back on in a bit, problem fixed for an hour or up to two days. So, as with others I've read about online, I had to kiss it goodbye and go with the built-in Google TV on my Sony. Didn't want to, but…
I do like the HomeHub suggestions. We use the 1st edition of the ATV 4K. And it also is our domitica home hub. I would like a small screen, 10”-ish, on my ATV to do more, like choosing a radio channel. Yes, it’s doable with any Apple device but it’s rarely used in our household, or, the tv is being used - which doesn’t feel right.
https://forums.appleinsider.com/discussion/comment/3507535#Comment_3507535
Not sure why you assume it is the ATV at fault rather than the streaming services app