9to5Mac has found references to a new Apple TV set-top box in the code of the tvOS 13.4 developer beta released yesterday.
The article says that the internal files of the beta suggest that the hardware will be based on the arm64e architecture, the same used in both A12 and A13 Bionic chips (the current Apple TV 4K packs an A10 Fusion chip). 9to5Mac adds that the maximum resolution supported will remain 4K with HDR support.
An upgrade in the processor would make the Apple TV 4K better at running Apple Arcade games. The upgrade could arrive next month if Apple holds March special event to announce, among other things, new iPad Pros.
In face, the Sellers Research Group thinks the next gen Apple TV 4K will be offered in a “Pro” version targeted to gamers. It will sport the latest, greatest “A” processor and either: a) come with an Apple-made gaming controller (which would also work with Macs, iPads, and iPhones), or b) a discount for an Xbox or PS4 game controller.
The Apple TV Pro would come in 128GB or 250GB storage options. As for the “regular” set-top box, it will remain as is UNLESS Apple reduces it to a “stick” version akin go the Fire TV Stick.
