My Apple TV is almost 4 years outdated. I’m in no rush to interchange it

For arising on 4 years, my trusty Apple TV 4K has been tucked away behind my LG OLED TV, quietly doing its factor. I haven’t given any critical thought to upgrading it, and not one of the rumors a couple of revamped Apple TV 4K mannequin are altering my thoughts.

I bought my Apple TV 4K, the second-generation mannequin, again in November 2021—or at the very least, that’s what Apple’s serial quantity checker advised me, as I’d fully misplaced monitor of the date. (A 3rd-generation mannequin with barely speedier efficiency and a extra reasonably priced price ticket got here out in 2022, and it’s our present Editors’ Alternative in media streaming gamers.)

Since then, the Apple TV field has been operating like a champ. The 4K streaming high quality is superb—crisp, colourful, and barely liable to buffering, thanks in no small half to the system’s gigabit ethernet connection (there’s additionally Wi-Fi 6 if you wish to go wi-fi). The person interface feels peppy, whereas an onboard Thread radio permits the participant to double as an Apple residence hub, full with Matter help.

I’ve tried different streaming gamers, comparable to a Roku Streaming Stick 4K—a fantastic little streaming system for the value—and all the time got here again to my Apple TV, which simply feels a lot smoother and responsive. Oh, and the dearth of adverts within the UI actually doesn’t harm.

That is all to say that I’m completely pleased with my present Apple TV 4K, which is why the newest spherical of rumors for a brand new mannequin (which 9to5Mac has properly summarized) are leaving me chilly.

Among the many rumors is the close to certainty of a brand new processor, such because the A17 Professional or A18 chips that energy more moderen iPhones. A beefier processor would open up new prospects for the Apple TV 4K as a gaming console—nice information, in case you use your Apple TV 4K for gaming. Personally, I don’t. I’ve a PlayStation 5 for that.

A brand new processor would additionally open the door to Apple Intelligence on Apple TV, however… nicely, let’s put it like this: I bought an iPhone 16 Professional partially primarily based on the promise of Apple Intelligence, and I’m feeling fairly burned. I refuse to make the identical mistake with a brand new Apple TV 4K. As soon as Apple Intelligence begins being truly helpful for one thing, we’ll speak.

There are additionally rumblings that Apple might debut a brand new wi-fi chipset on an upcoming Apple TV 4K, one that mixes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The brand new chip might theoretically permit Apple merchandise to “work extra carefully collectively and synchronize information extra rapidly,” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman writes. However I believe the very best factor concerning the new Bluetooth/Wi-Fi combo chip is that Apple makes it in-house, thus lowering its reliance on Qualcomm. Nice information for Apple, I suppose, however as a client, I’m shrugging my shoulders.

Lastly, there’s chatter {that a} new Apple TV 4K may need an built-in digital camera, which means no must pair your iPhone with the field for big-screen FaceTime calls. That feels like a good suggestion at first blush, however on second thought, I’ve points.

First, I’ve no real interest in having an internet-connected digital camera educated on my front room couch always. Would a bodily lens shutter clear up that downside? Sure, besides, I like having my Apple TV 4K out of sight behind my TV, not front-and-center the place it might must be for its digital camera to be of any use. Lastly, pairing my iPhone with my Apple TV isn’t that huge of a deal, and also you then profit from what would likely be the iPhone’s far superior digital camera high quality.

This characteristic is a part of TechHive’s in-depth protection of the very best media-streaming gadgets.

Now, in case you’re out there in your first Apple TV 4K, then by all means, hold tight for the newer mannequin. It’s been roughly three years for the reason that third-generation Apple TV 4K arrived, so that you may as nicely wait a tad longer for the newest {hardware}. And even ignoring the rumors, the Apple TV 4K is a superb streaming participant that I heartily advocate.

However so far as an improve goes? In need of a shock killer characteristic, I’m simply not feeling it.