New Apple TV 4K Officially Debuts With Faster A19 Chip, Four-Speaker Surround Sound

Apple's Welcome Home event unveiled a refreshed version of its Apple TV 4K, the fourth iteration of the device. This upgrade occurs four years after the previous model, and it boasts several notable improvements, accompanied by a higher price point. The most significant enhancement is the incorporation of the A19 chip, which succeeds the A15 Bionic chip found in its predecessor.

This chip is also present in the iPhone 17, marking a substantial leap in performance. Compared to the A15 Bionic, used in the iPhone 13, the A19 offers up to 50% faster CPU performance and twice the graphics performance. The new chipset features a dedicated AV1 decoder, facilitating efficient, high-quality streaming with reduced bandwidth consumption.

Connectivity has been enhanced with support for WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, and gigabit Ethernet, with the device being available in a single 128GB configuration. The redesigned Siri Remote includes Find My support with Precision Finding, enabling users with a compatible iPhone to locate the remote if it's misplaced. An option to play a sound on the remote further aids in its retrieval.

Apple emphasizes an immersive home theatre experience by enabling users to create a four-speaker surround sound system by pairing the device with the HomePod mini 2 or the second-generation HomePod. This system automatically adjusts audio timing and levels based on the position of each speaker, ensuring optimal sound quality. The Apple TV 4K supports Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, and FaceTime calls, and continues to function as a smart home hub.

With a compatible smart doorbell, users receive notifications directly on the TV, allowing them to see visitors and communicate with them. Home automation features like automations, guest mode, and HomeKit Secure Video are also supported. To prioritize privacy, Smart Exclaves have been introduced, creating secure processing environments for microphone data separate from the rest of the system.

The Apple TV 4K (4th generation) is set for pre-order starting October 15, 2026, with general availability beginning on November 13, 2026, priced at RM1,349, which is RM200 more than its predecessor.