The wait is finally over: after 1,439 days—or just short of four years—the Apple TV is getting a long-overdue update on Tuesday.
Apple will host its ‘Welcome Home’ event at 3:00 PM SA time, where it is expected to announce several key product refreshes alongside an all-new smart home control centre rumoured to be called the HomePad.
While the new hardware slate is packed, the star of the show will undoubtedly be the updated Apple TV, which last received a refresh a lifetime ago in tech terms.
Visually, the new streaming box will retain its familiar compact design, but under the hood, users can expect a dramatic leap in processing performance.
Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation) Update: Price Hikes and Upcoming Features
The Apple TV was last updated in 2022 with the release of the Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation). Before local price hikes earlier this year, the entry-level 64GB model retailed for R2,999 at the iStore, while the top-tier 128GB version sat at R3,599. Today, those same models cost R4,199 and R5,249, respectively. While the next-generation line-up is expected to fall into a similar price range, local currency fluctuations mean nothing is guaranteed.
The current model relies on the A15 Bionic chip—the same processor featured in the iPhone 13 lineup. When the 3rd Gen Apple TV debuted, that silicon was already more than a year old. In practice, anyone purchasing a current-generation Apple TV today is handing over hard-earned cash for processing hardware that is nearly five years old.
The upcoming Apple TV is reported to feature an A19 or A19 Pro chip—the very same silicon introduced in last year’s iPhone 17 lineup. On top of the substantial performance boost, industry insiders expect Apple to increase the base storage capacity across the board.
Alongside the media streamer, Apple’s smart home display—distinct from its traditional standalone speaker lineup—is widely expected to make its debut as the HomePad.
Leaks indicate the device will feature a 6-inch square display mounted on a metallic arm and anchored by a rounded base—a design that draws clear inspiration from the iconic early-2000s G4 iMac.
Positioned as the ultimate central command centre for the Apple ecosystem, the HomePad will tie together Apple TVs, MacBooks, HomePods, and compatible smart devices ranging from video doorbells to security cameras. Deep integration with Apple’s next-generation Siri AI will make voice interaction the main way users manage their connected spaces.
Apple will reportedly market the HomePad as a multi-room device, encouraging customers to place units throughout their living space. Pricing is estimated around $350, which translates to roughly R6,000 in South Africa before local taxes, duties, and retail markups.
Rounding out the event, a refreshed HomePod mini is also slated to launch, bringing faster Wi-Fi performance and upgraded Siri AI features built to work seamlessly alongside the new HomePad ecosystem.