This new Apple TV rumor has me more excited than ever for 2026

Looking back at 2025, if there's one tech rumor I wish had come true, it's that Apple released a new Apple TV 4K. The current third-generation Apple TV 4K launched back in 2022, and throughout the year, rumors suggested a refresh was finally on the way. First, it was expected to debut at Apple's iPhone event, then possibly in October, and then later in November.

Now, with only a few weeks left in 2025, it's clear the new Apple TV 4K isn't launching this year, making a 2026 release all but certain. In November, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the Apple TV 4K was slated to be "updated with new chips and in-house wireless components," and that if it didn't arrive this year, it "shouldn't be far off," and is expected to "showcase" Siri's new personalized AI capabilities coming in 2026.

While the wait for the new Apple TV 4K continues, one rumor in particular has caught my attention: the chipset that could power it. According to MacRumors, the next-generation Apple TV 4K may use Apple's A17 Pro chipset.

The A17 Pro debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max back in 2023, and while it's no longer Apple's latest chip, it's still extremely powerful -- especially for a streaming box. However, what excites me most about this rumor is what it could mean for the future of gaming on Apple TV.

The new Apple TV 4K could be able to play AAA games

The A17 Pro is capable of playing games like Assassin's Creed and Resident Evil

When Apple first released the iPhone 15 Pro with the A17 Pro chipset, one of its headline features was its ability to play AAA console games. Apple showcased titles like Assassin's Creed Mirage and Resident Evil 4 running on the iPhone, and since then, more high-profile games have arrived, including Death Stranding, Hitman: World of Assassination, and Sniper Elite 4. More recently, Rockstar Games even launched a port of Red Dead Redemption for iPhone, which you can play for free with a Netflix subscription.

The point I'm trying to make is that the A17 Pro kick-started AAA gaming on the iPhone. If that same chipset powers the next Apple TV 4K, Apple could enable the device to run AAA games -- potentially making it the first streaming device to do so without relying on cloud gaming.

What makes this possibility even more compelling is Apple's growing support for controllers. With tvOS 26, Apple added support for the PS5 DualSense controller, allowing it to connect to Apple TV via Bluetooth for gaming and menu navigation. Xbox wireless controllers are also supported.

...this is all based on a rumor, and my hopes and dreams for AAA gaming on Apple TV remain exactly that -- hopes and dreams -- until Apple finally officially unveils the new Apple TV 4K and what it's capable of.

Right now, Apple Arcade titles are the only native gaming option on Apple TV, and the selection is pretty limited. While the number of AAA games available on iOS is also relatively small, the ability to play full AAA releases would make the next-generation Apple TV 4K far more appealing -- especially if developers continue porting both older and newer titles to iOS.

Again, this is all based on a rumor, and my hopes and dreams for AAA gaming on Apple TV remain exactly that -- hopes and dreams -- until Apple finally officially unveils the new Apple TV 4K and what it's capable of. However, what gives me hope about the chipset rumor specifically is that it's also tied to one of Apple's biggest software pushes in recent years.

The new Apple TV 4K is expected to support Apple Intelligence

Apple's A17 Pro was among the first chips to support Apple Intelligence

Beyond gaming, the A17 Pro chipset would also enable the next Apple TV 4K to support Apple Intelligence, Apple's suite of AI features. The A17 Pro was the first Apple chip to support Apple Intelligence, as earlier chipsets lacked the necessary performance and capabilities.

It's hard to imagine Apple releasing a new Apple TV 4K without Apple Intelligence support -- especially as competitors continue to integrate AI into their streaming platforms, such as Amazon with Alexa+ and Google with Gemini on Google TV.

If the next Apple TV 4K does support Apple Intelligence, it will need a chipset powerful enough to handle it -- and the A17 Pro fits the bill.

With Apple set to roll out its revamped Siri for Apple Intelligence next year, first unveiled at WWDC 2024, it seems increasingly likely that the next Apple TV 4K will support these features. As mentioned earlier, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that the new Apple TV 4K will "showcase the new Siri and Apple Intelligence features," so the odds are pretty good that it will. If the next Apple TV 4K does support Apple Intelligence, it will need a chipset powerful enough to handle it -- and the A17 Pro fits the bill.

As for when we'll finally see the new Apple TV 4K, a launch in March or April next year wouldn't be surprising, as it would align with the expected rollout of Apple's revamped Siri. But that's purely speculation on my part, and the exact release date of the new Apple TV 4K is unknown, aside from reports suggesting that it's early next year. I just hope it arrives sooner rather than later in 2026, as I'm eager to pick one up to replace my Fire TV Stick 4K Max and, if my dreams come true, hopefully use it to play AAA games like Red Dead Redemption.