Apple has unveiled the new Apple TV 4K (2026) priced at $299, featuring an A19 chip and Wi-Fi 7. This marks a significant price increase over its predecessor, arriving November 13.
Apple has officially announced the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, set to launch on November 13 with a $299 price tag. This new model brings several internal upgrades, including a faster A19 chip and built-in microphones for Siri, as reported by Engadget.
The $299 price point represents a substantial jump. The cheapest previous-generation Apple TV 4K (2022) started at $129, before Apple raised prices to $199 and $249 earlier this year. The 2026 model comes in one configuration only, offering 128GB of storage and an Ethernet port.
A19 Chip and Connectivity Boosts
Under the hood, the 2026 Apple TV 4K swaps out the A15 Bionic chip for the newer A19. Apple claims this makes it up to 50 percent faster for CPU tasks and twice as fast for graphics compared to the 2022 model. It also packs double the RAM and a dedicated AV1 decoder, which is good news for Indian users who stream a lot of content, as AV1 allows for high-quality video with less bandwidth, particularly useful on platforms like YouTube.
Wireless capabilities have also seen an upgrade. The new box supports Wi-Fi 7, up from Wi-Fi 6 on the previous model, and Bluetooth 6, an improvement over Bluetooth 5. Thread support, however, remains unchanged.
Hands-Free Siri and a Smarter Remote
One of the headline features is the inclusion of three built-in microphones directly into the Apple TV 4K box. This means you can now activate Siri by simply speaking to the device, even over background noise, without needing to hold a button on the remote. The 2022 model required users to speak into the remote for Siri commands.
The new Siri remote itself also gets an upgrade with Precision Finding. This feature, which requires an iPhone 17 or later, an iPhone Air, or an iPhone Duo, lets you use your iPhone to locate a misplaced remote and even make it play a sound. The new remote costs $59 if purchased separately and is compatible with all Apple TV 4K models, along with the 2015 Apple TV HD.
Expanded HomePod Surround Sound
For those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, the 2026 Apple TV 4K allows for a more immersive audio experience. For the first time, you can connect four HomePod speakers (two front, two rear) to create a full surround sound system. This requires the new box along with matching pairs of HomePod mini 2 or second-generation HomePod speakers. Previously, Apple TV 4K models only supported connecting HomePods in a stereo pair.
What This Means for Indian Buyers
While Apple has not yet confirmed Indian pricing or exact availability for the 2026 Apple TV 4K, the international pricing gives us a sense of what to expect. The $299 price tag is a significant premium, especially for a streaming box, and will likely translate to a higher rupee equivalent compared to previous generations.
For existing Apple TV 4K (2022) users, the good news is that the new 'Siri AI' assistant that Apple is highlighting will be coming to their devices via a software update. The new Siri remote is also compatible with older models if purchased separately. Both the 2022 and 2026 boxes are limited to 4K and 60 frames per second, and both support Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos.
Honestly, if your primary use is just streaming movies and TV shows, the A19 chip might not offer a noticeable upgrade for your wallet. The convenience of hands-free Siri is certainly a plus, and the AV1 decoder is a welcome addition for better streaming quality. However, as Engadget points out, on paper, there's little here that truly justifies the $100 extra unless you're a heavy gamer or plan to make extensive use of the updated Siri AI capabilities. The value proposition is clearer if you're upgrading from an older Apple TV 4K or an Apple TV HD, as those models won't get the Siri AI update.
