Next Apple TV 4K to add A17 Pro chip and AV1 decoding

The addition of hardware AV1 decoding aligns Apple’s flagship living room device with industry standards already adopted by Netflix and YouTube to lower CDN costs and improve mobile efficiency. For the B2B streaming ecosystem, this shifts the Apple TV from a codec laggard to a primary target for AV1-encoded 4K distribution. Furthermore, the push for Apple Intelligence on the TV suggests a shift toward edge-computing in the home, potentially making the device a localized hub for more than just media playback. Industry observers should watch for official tvOS 27 documentation to see if Apple finally unlocks 4K at 120fps via HDMI 2.1, a crucial move to compete with gaming-centric set-top alternatives.

The anticipated 2026 refresh follows the longest update gap in the product's history, as the current A15 Bionic model was released in 2022. Reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in June 2026 suggest that while hardware designs for the new box are finalized, the launch remains tied to the readiness of 'Apple Intelligence' features within tvOS 27. Modern AI requirements have created a performance floor; per Tidbits (July 2026), Apple Intelligence necessitates the Neural Engine capabilities found in the A17 Pro or M-series chips, effectively leaving the current 4GB RAM Apple TV models unsupported for local AI processing.

Market adoption of the AV1 codec has reached a critical tipping point for hardware manufacturers. According to data from Forasoft (July 2026), roughly 88% of large-screen devices submitted for Netflix certification between 2021 and 2025 now include AV1 hardware decoding. Apple's previous absence from this list for the Apple TV line forced services to rely on software decoders like dav1d, which increased CPU utilization. The transition to A17 Pro silicon brings the set-top box in line with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series, which Apple confirmed as its first devices with dedicated AV1 hardware in late 2023.

Beyond video performance, the 2026 rollout may include a strategy shift toward tiered hardware. Leaks from June 2026 suggest Apple is exploring multiple models, potentially including a lower-cost 'Mini' stick to compete with Roku and a high-end 'Ultra' model focused on console-grade gaming. This diversification would address the rising price of components; Geeky Gadgets reported in July 2026 that the flagship 2026 Apple TV 4K could see its price point increase to $250 due to the leap to 3nm architecture and upgraded networking silicon.