Apple is expected to announce a new Apple TV 4K on Tuesday, October 13, after nearly four years without a major update to its streaming hardware. The announcement will likely come through a press release on Apple’s Newsroom website as part of the company’s “Welcome home” launch.

Apple has also invited selected reporters and content creators to an experience in New York on the same day. The event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, where attendees are expected to share hands-on photos and videos of the new device.

Faster chip and possible Siri AI support

The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K is rumored to use either Apple’s A19 or A19 Pro chip. That would represent a significant upgrade over the current model, which uses the A15 Bionic chip and includes 4GB of RAM.

The new model could reportedly include between 8GB and 12GB of RAM. The additional memory is expected to support Siri AI features on Apple TV, although Apple has not yet confirmed how those features would work or which tasks they would support.

The current Apple TV 4K was announced in October 2022. A newer processor could improve general performance and provide additional capacity for future software updates, but the extent of any user-facing changes will depend on Apple’s announcement.

Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 expected

The new Apple TV is also expected to include Apple’s N1 wireless chip. The chip reportedly supports Wi-Fi 7, which can provide faster speeds and lower latency than the current model’s Wi-Fi 6 when paired with a compatible Wi-Fi 7 router.

N1 is also expected to bring Bluetooth 6.0 support. The current Apple TV supports Bluetooth 5.0. These upgrades could improve wireless connectivity for streaming, accessories and other home entertainment devices, although their benefits will depend on the rest of a user’s network and equipment.

Design may remain familiar

A leaked image reportedly shows no obvious external design changes compared with the current Apple TV 4K. That suggests Apple could focus the update on internal hardware rather than introducing a redesigned enclosure.

The Siri Remote may receive a revision, however. A new version of the remote has reportedly been referenced in Apple software code, though the nature of the changes remains unclear.

Apple TV price has already increased

Apple raised the price of the Apple TV 4K in June amid rising memory chip costs. In the United States, the device now starts at $199, compared with its previous starting price of $129.

Apple’s announcement should clarify whether the new model replaces the existing version at the same price, receives another adjustment or launches alongside the current hardware. Until then, the processor, memory, wireless standards and Siri features remain reported specifications rather than confirmed details.