The Apple TV (2022) is the long-awaited sequel to the current Apple TV 4K, a new version of Apple's streaming set-top box, not to be confused with Apple TV (the app on Apple devices and smart TVs) or Apple TV+ (the streaming service). transmission).
Rumored new Apple TV features (2022)
- More powerful A14 chip with more memory
- New Siri Remote seen in iOS 16
- A cheaper model could arrive
There is mounting evidence that a new Apple TV 4K is in the works, in part from analysts and leakers revealing possible information about it, but also from an erroneous mention of a new remote control in iOS 16.
Whether that means a replacement for the Apple TV 4K (2021) is coming any time soon remains to be seen; frankly, we'd be surprised if it shows up in 2022, as the current model only came out in spring 2021 and is way up-to-date on the hardware involved, like HDMI 2.1 support. But it's certainly not impossible if Apple has a good reason to create a new box.
The big question at the moment is what price to expect: Apple is rumored to be working on a much cheaper and smaller version, more like a streaming stick than the current boxy model. But another rumor says that Apple plans to use a higher-end processor, suggesting that the current design will stick with the improved innards, and that probably means there won't be a price drop.
We think Apple should make a cheaper streaming device, and we'll explain why here, but until that's made official, let's review what we know so far.
Apple TV news and updates (2022)
June 28, 2022: Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is working on a new Apple TV model with an upgraded A14 processor and more memory.
June 24, 2022 - Developers testing iOS 16 discover code for a new version of the Siri Remote used for Apple TV.
June 7, 2022: As WWDC comes and goes without any major tvOS announcements, we're concerned about the future of the Apple TV platform.
May 25, 2022 - Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that Apple is working on a new, less expensive model of Apple TV (opens in a new tab), scheduled for release in 2022.
New Apple TV (2022): price and release date
If Mark Gurman's rumor that the new Apple TV will feature a more powerful A14 chip is true, it seems likely that we shouldn't expect a new version of the Apple TV 4K to be cheaper than it currently is. a direct replacement.
However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's rumor that Apple is working on a cheaper version, perhaps one that looks more like a simple streaming stick, without as many fancy apps and games as Apple Main TV, could mean the option. of a cheaper version.
A cheaper version might make sense not because Apple particularly wants a cheap TV box (it already offers the Apple TV app for free on many TVs, which seems to be the company's way of reaching more people for less cost). , but because as an Apple Fitness+ compatible device. If you want to use this service on your big TV, where it works best, you need an Apple Watch and an Apple TV, it adds up. A cheaper TV Stick could help people use Apple's paid fitness service.
As for the release date, we'd be surprised to see it appear in 2022 if it's just an update to the existing box, as Apple last updated it in 2021, and nothing significant has changed in terms of what features it actually needs. .
It might make sense for a cheaper version to come out before Christmas though, so if such a version does exist, we wouldn't be surprised to see it in late 2022.
New Apple TV 4K (2022): features
There's no reason to wait for major new features from the new Apple TV. The Apple TV 4K (2021) has been upgraded with HDMI 2.1 and is already far more powerful than any other streaming box on the planet.
There are some software features that Apple TV doesn't have yet (like HDR10+ support, though it's coming soon), but they won't require new hardware.
Upgrading your processor could allow for more advanced gaming features, but will most likely only be used sparingly.
What we'd really be interested in is a Siri Remote that includes Apple's AirTags ultra-wideband communication technology, so you can use an iPhone to literally tell you which cushion on the couch the remote is hiding in when you're using it.