Apple TV 4K users have waited a long time for new hardware, and that wait is now approaching a milestone that many customers would rather avoid. While reports suggest Apple has a new Apple TV 4K ready for release, the company has yet to introduce a successor to the current model that arrived in 2022.
As of May 31, the current Apple TV 4K has been on sale for 1,304 days. If Apple does not launch a replacement by July 4, this version will officially become the longest-selling Apple TV 4K model between hardware updates.
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A Record That Is Close to Falling
The current record belongs to the original Apple TV 4K from 2017. That model remained Apple’s newest streaming box for 1,337 days before the company introduced an updated version.
The situation feels even more noticeable because Apple moved much faster with previous generations. The second-generation Apple TV 4K was replaced after just 532 days, making the current gap look unusually long by comparison.
Reports indicate (via 9to5mac) that Apple is preparing a new Apple TV 4K, but the company could be waiting for a future software update tied to its AI plans before releasing the hardware. If that timeline holds, customers may need to wait until the arrival of tvOS 27 later this year.
Despite the lengthy wait, many owners continue to praise the existing device. One user explained that the main reason for wanting new hardware is better support for Matter-connected smart home products.
Apple has continued adding software features to the current hardware, helping it remain relevant even as its age increases.
A Longer Wait, But a Better-Priced Device
There is also one advantage to the current situation. Apple redesigned the third-generation Apple TV 4K in 2022 with a more competitive price than earlier versions, making it easier for new buyers to enter the Apple ecosystem.
If customers are going to spend several years with a single Apple TV model, many would probably prefer it to be the more affordable version. Even so, with a record now within reach, anticipation for Apple’s next streaming box continues to grow.
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