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Clues to Apple's Next TV Box Point to Big Video Game Possibilities

I'm not often hyped about a TV streaming box, but the next Apple TV 4K could be different.

Headshot of Bridget Carey
Headshot of Bridget Carey
Bridget Carey Editor at Large
Bridget Carey is an award-winning reporter who helps you level-up your life -- while having a good time geeking out. Her exclusive CNET videos get you behind the scenes as she covers new trends, experiences and quirky gadgets. Her weekly video show, "One More Thing," explores what's new in the world of Apple and what's to come. She started as a reporter at The Miami Herald with syndicated newspaper columns for product reviews and social media advice. Now she's a mom who also stays on top of toy industry trends and robots. (Kids love robots.)
Expertise Consumer technology | Apple | Google | Samsung | Microsoft | Amazon | Meta | Social media | Mobile | Robots | Future tech | Immersive technology | Toys | Culture Credentials
  • Bridget has spent over 18 years as a consumer tech reporter, hosting daily tech news shows and writing syndicated newspaper columns. She's often a guest on national radio and television stations, including ABC, CBS, CNBC and NBC.
Bridget Carey
2 min read

Apple's annual iPhone reveal event in September isn't always just about iPhones, and recent reports indicate Apple could have a few more hardware upgrades to announce very soon.

After discovering references hidden in software code, MacRumors reported on several unannounced Apple products, one of which included an Apple TV 4K streaming box with an upgraded A17 Pro chip. 

Apple TV 4K streaming box

Reports say a new Apple TV 4K box is coming this year.

 David Katzmaier/CNET

The A17 Pro chip was released with the iPhone 15 Pro models. It includes a six-core GPU that can handle graphics for high-budget and high-profile video games -- the type of games you usually find only on desktop computers and gaming consoles. 

The discovery amplifies past reports from Bloomberg that Apple has been planning on upgrading the box by the end of the year. If true, Apple could roll it out alongside an iPhone 17 or wait until later in the fall. 

It's also reported that Apple's next TV streaming box will have an Apple-made chip for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, allowing for faster wireless speeds and reduced interference with accessories like headphones. It's yet another element that could improve the machine for high-performance gaming, but it could also make the Apple TV box better at managing a network of smart-home gadgets. 

In this week's One More Thing video, embedded above, I explain why adding a few more chips to this little box could mean big things for Apple's future, including positioning the next Apple TV to become a true gaming console.

If you're looking for more One More Thing, subscribe to our YouTube page to catch Bridget Carey breaking down the latest Apple news and issues every Friday.