November is here, which means the holiday season and New Year's are fast approaching, and you're about to hear Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" about a million times. But as the year's end draws closer, a question on my mind -- and I'm sure many other tech fans share -- is whether Apple has any product releases left this year. The tech giant debuted the iPhone 17 series in September, and in October, it introduced the M5-powered versions of the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple retail stores are preparing for an overnight shift on the evening of November 11, during which they will remerchandise the store after closing. This includes setting up new product displays, updating existing ones, and installing new store signage.
There is a glimmer of hope that these overnight changes on November 11 could signal the launch of a new Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini. Gurman notes that the inventory levels for both the Apple TV 4K boxes and HomePod Minis have "gotten tighter," which is usually a telltale sign that new versions are coming. So, if Apple plans to launch updated versions of these products this year, November 11 could be the day we finally see them. However, Gurman notes that while an overnight Apple Store refresh often indicates new product launches, with the holiday season approaching, it could simply be part of its preparation, and no products may be coming.
Apple TV 4K (2022)
- Brand
- Apple
- Bluetooth codecs
- 5.0
- Wi-Fi
- 6
- Ethernet
- Gigabit (128GB model only)
What can we expect to see from an updated Apple TV 4K?
A new chipset and Apple Intelligence support could be two of the biggest changes
Apple hasn't updated its Apple TV 4K box in nearly three years, so anticipation is rightfully high for its next refresh. On the outside, the design of the new box is expected to resemble the current third-generation Apple TV 4K, released in 2022, which features a slim black plastic body.
The major updates for the new Apple TV 4K are expected to be all under the hood, including a new processor and Wi-Fi chipset. The third-generation Apple TV 4K features an A15 Bionic chipset, and it's rumored that the upcoming model will be powered by Apple's A17 Pro chipset, which was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. This would be a significant performance boost for the Apple TV 4K, potentially also enabling it to play AAA games, like the iPhone 15 Pro can.
In terms of connectivity, the new Apple TV 4K is rumored to feature a custom-designed Wi-Fi chip by Apple that may support Wi-Fi 7 (via MacRumors). Apple has already introduced the N1 chipset in the iPhone 17 series, which supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, so it's quite possible the new Apple TV 4K could have it as well.
In his report, Gurman also states that the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini will "help showcase the new Siri and Apple Intelligence features planned for next year," which means Apple Intelligence support will also be a key feature. As for what the HomePod Mini refresh has in store, it's expected to come in new colors, feature improved sound quality, and offer enhanced Wi-Fi capabilities.
What else is Apple planning for the future?
New MacBooks, iPads, and even an iPhone are expected to launch in early 2026
If the refreshed Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini are not released this November, they are likely to launch early next year. Apple already has a lot planned for then, including the iPhone 17e, a new entry-level iPad with an A18 chipset, and a new iPad Air powered by an M4 chipset, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
The new MacBook Pro, featuring the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, is also expected to launch in the first half of the year, along with new Mac monitors. Apple first introduced its Studio Display monitor in March 2022, so its successor has been in the works for a long time.
Beyond product refreshes, Apple is also rumored to launch its first smart home display next year, which is expected to extensively utilize the new personal Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. In the fall, the iPhone 18 series is expected to debut, and possibly Apple's first foldable iPhone.
Apple has a lot planned over the next year, and with all the products in the pipeline for 2026, I'm really hoping Apple releases the new Apple TV 4K this holiday season rather than waiting until early next year. If rumors are accurate about the new Apple TV 4K -- specifically the A17 Pro chipset upgrade -- it could easily become one of the best home streaming devices available, and I'd want it for my TV in a heartbeat to replace my Fire TV Stick 4K Max.