Apple’s next Apple TV 4K could deliver a meaningful performance upgrade while finally addressing one of the most familiar annoyances of using the streaming box: losing its remote between the couch cushions.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the upcoming Apple TV 4K will feature Apple’s A19 chip, replacing the A15 Bionic processor found in the current third-generation model. Gurman also reports that Apple has tested a redesigned Siri Remote with a built-in speaker, allowing users to make it play a sound when they cannot find it.

The new streaming device is expected to be unveiled at Apple’s October 13 “Welcome home” event, alongside an updated HomePod mini and the company’s anticipated smart home hub. The Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini are reportedly scheduled to arrive in stores on October 30.

A19 chip would be a substantial upgrade

The current Apple TV 4K, introduced in October 2022, runs on the A15 Bionic chip. Moving to the A19 would bring the streaming box several generations forward in Apple’s processor lineup, potentially giving it more headroom for demanding apps, games and upcoming software features.

The upgrade could also be particularly relevant to Apple’s plans for a more capable Siri. The company has been working to bring more advanced AI-powered features into its ecosystem, and a faster processor could help prepare the Apple TV for those capabilities.

However, the A19 chip itself does not confirm which Apple Intelligence features will be available on the new device. Apple has yet to officially announce the hardware or outline its software capabilities, so the precise benefits remain unclear.

A Siri Remote that is easier to track down

The more immediately useful change could be the updated Siri Remote. Apple has already introduced a basic remote-finding feature, but a built-in speaker could make locating a misplaced remote considerably easier.

Instead of searching through blankets, lifting sofa cushions or checking every nearby surface, users could trigger a sound from the remote and follow it to its hiding place. It is a small quality-of-life improvement, but one that addresses a familiar frustration for anyone who regularly uses Apple TV.

There is an important caveat, though: Gurman says Apple has tested the speaker-equipped remote, but it remains unclear whether it will be included in the retail product.

Apple has also tested built-in microphones

The remote is not the only potential change involving Siri. Apple has reportedly tested adding microphones directly to the Apple TV hardware, which could let users issue voice commands without speaking into the Siri Remote or relying on a paired HomePod.

That would be a notable convenience improvement, particularly for people who use Apple TV as part of a broader smart home setup. Voice control could become more accessible when the remote is misplaced or simply out of reach.

However, built-in microphones are another feature that has only been reported as tested. Their inclusion in the final product is not confirmed, and Apple has not announced how the next Apple TV will handle its planned AI-powered Siri features.

Expected launch date and availability

Apple is expected to introduce the next Apple TV 4K during its October 13 “Welcome home” event. According to Gurman’s reporting, the device should reach customers and retail stores on October 30, alongside the refreshed HomePod mini. The separate HomeView smart home hub is expected to follow around mid-November.

Apple has not officially confirmed the new Apple TV’s price, storage configurations or final specifications. The reports also suggest that the external design may remain largely unchanged, making the processor and potential Siri-related improvements the main reasons to consider the upgrade.

For existing Apple TV owners, the next model could be more about making the experience faster and smarter than changing how the device looks. The A19 chip would provide a substantial generational leap, while a speaker-equipped remote could solve a much more ordinary problem. Whether Apple delivers both features in the final hardware should become clearer at its upcoming event.