Apple announced the fourth‑generation Apple TV 4K earlier this week, replacing the 2022 third‑generation model. The new unit introduces the A19 chip, built‑in far‑field microphones for hands‑free Siri, four‑speaker HomePod surround sound support and an updated Siri Remote, while keeping the same basic enclosure and most existing entertainment features. The fourth‑generation Apple TV 4K is available to pre‑order, will be released November 13, 2026, and costs $299 with 128GB of storage.
Apple TV 4K: Configurations, connectivity and price
The third‑generation Apple TV 4K shipped in two configurations: a 64GB Wi‑Fi–only model and a 128GB model with Wi‑Fi and Gigabit Ethernet. The fourth‑generation model is a single 128GB configuration with Wi‑Fi and Gigabit Ethernet as standard.
Wireless and networking upgrades include Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) on the third‑generation model versus Wi‑Fi 7 (802.11be) on the fourth generation, and Bluetooth 5.0 versus Bluetooth 6. Thread networking and Gigabit Ethernet are standard on the new 128GB unit; they were optional on the previous 128GB model.
Apple originally launched the third‑generation Apple TV 4K in the U.S. at $129 (64GB) and $149 (128GB). Before being replaced the older model’s final Apple price had been raised to $199 (64GB) and $249 (128GB) after a price increase in June 2026. Against that final 128GB price, the new 128GB Apple TV 4K costs $50 more. Compared with the older entry‑level configuration, the new model costs $100 more and includes twice the storage plus Ethernet and Thread connectivity.
A19 vs A15: performance and capabilities
The new Apple TV 4K uses the A19 chip, replacing the A15 Bionic used in the 2022 model. Apple cites up to 50% faster CPU performance and up to twice the GPU performance versus the prior model.
Technical distinctions listed by Apple include manufacturing nodes (A15 on TSMC N5P, A19 on TSMC N3P), dynamic caching, and differences in graphics and ML hardware. The A19 adds hardware‑accelerated ray tracing, hardware‑accelerated mesh shading, GPU Neural Accelerators, an updated 16‑core Neural Engine architecture, an updated display engine and ISP, a dedicated AV1 hardware decoder, higher maximum texture dimensions (32,768 vs 16,384 pixels), up to 8x multisample anti‑aliasing (vs up to 4x), MetalFX denoised upscaling capability and depth bounds testing. Dynamic Caching manages fast on‑chip GPU memory according to workload.
Apple notes the A19’s substantially better GPU will be particularly useful for gaming, and hardware changes such as ray tracing, mesh shading and GPU Neural Accelerators broaden the device’s graphics and machine‑learning capabilities. It remains unclear how broadly those architectural improvements will affect everyday Apple TV use.
Hands‑free Siri and HomePod audio
The fourth‑generation Apple TV 4K adds three built‑in far‑field microphones with voice isolation inside the box, enabling direct hands‑free activation using “Siri” or “Hey Siri” with echo cancellation while audio is playing. The third‑generation model has no built‑in microphone array and relied on the Siri Remote or another compatible device for voice input. Siri AI itself is coming to the third‑generation model: Apple says the assistant will be available in beta with tvOS 27.2 on second‑generation and later Apple TV 4K models, offering conversational entertainment searches, follow‑up questions and personal context through a compatible paired device.
On audio, the new Apple TV supports a four‑speaker HomePod surround configuration using matching front and rear pairs. That setup requires HomePod mini 2 units or second‑generation full‑sized HomePods; first‑generation full‑sized HomePods and original HomePod mini speakers are excluded. You can use four matching speakers or mix two matching front speakers with a different matching rear pair (for example, two full‑size HomePods as front and two HomePod mini 2 units as rear). The four‑speaker setup benefits from automatic positioning, timing and level calibration. Whole Room Audio, which distributes sound across four HomePod speakers for music and sports, is distinct from directional home‑theater sound.
Hands‑free Siri language support is limited to the languages Apple lists for the feature: Mandarin Chinese, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Norwegian and Swedish, subject to regional availability.
Siri Remote updates
The fourth‑generation Siri Remote keeps the familiar design and controls but adds nearby finding with Precision Finding and a built‑in speaker that can play a sound to help locate the remote. The older Siri Remote supported nearby finding with an iPhone; the new remote adds precise guidance and Bluetooth Channel Sounding for precise tracking without requiring a UWB chip. Precision Finding requires an iPhone 17 or later (excluding the iPhone 17e) or an iPhone Air or iPhone Duo running the latest software. The remote can also be located by asking Siri through the Apple TV’s built‑in microphones so the remote will play a sound.
Hardware differences include Bluetooth 5.0 on the older remote versus Bluetooth 6 on the new one, and a weight increase from 66 grams to 69.6 grams. The new Siri Remote is available separately for $59 and is compatible with the third‑generation Apple TV 4K, earlier Apple TV 4K models and the Apple TV HD.
Design, dimensions and packaging
Both generations retain the compact black enclosure and Apple logo. External differences are minimal: the width and depth change from 93 mm to 93.24 mm, and the status light has been moved from the right to the center on the new model; that centered front light also indicates when the built‑in microphones are listening. Weight varies slightly: the third‑generation Wi‑Fi model weighs 208g and the Wi‑Fi+Ethernet model 214g, while the new fourth‑generation box weighs 217g.
Packaging has also been updated: the older model used at least 90% fiber‑based packaging, while the new model uses 100% fiber‑based packaging.
Who should upgrade or buy which model?
Most owners of the third‑generation Apple TV 4K are advised to keep their existing device. For ordinary streaming through TV speakers, a soundbar or an AV receiver the new model does not add new display resolutions or HDR features, and Siri AI will be available on older hardware via tvOS 27.2 beta, reducing the need to replace a working unit.
The strongest reasons to upgrade are hardware features exclusive to the fourth‑generation model: building a planned four‑speaker HomePod system (factoring in the cost of additional or replacement compatible speakers), using hands‑free Siri when the Apple TV is positioned in the viewing room, needing AV1 hardware decoding for a specific media workflow, or valuing the newer GPU for gaming depending on tvOS titles and developer use of the hardware.
If finding the remote is the main issue, buying the new Siri Remote for $59 provides the new locating features at $240 less than replacing the full Apple TV. For new buyers, the fourth‑generation Apple TV 4K is the stronger choice when the $50 premium over the final 128GB price of the older model is modest or when you intend to use its exclusive features. A discounted third‑generation model remains attractive if savings are substantial and you do not need the new model’s exclusive capabilities.
The fourth‑generation Apple TV 4K replaces the 2022 model in Apple’s lineup, and whether to upgrade depends on which of its hardware changes you will actually use.
