The new Apple TV 4K is Apple’s ₹39,900 streaming box, but now also anchors a four-speaker home-theatre system, offers hands-free Siri and acts as a more capable Home hub.
The fourth-generation model goes on sale in India on November 13.
Apple has moved the Apple TV 4K to its A19 chip, claiming up to 50 percent faster CPU performance and up to twice the GPU performance over the previous generation.
The box also gets a dedicated AV1 decoder. AV1 is a video codec that helps streaming services deliver high-quality video at lower bandwidth, making it useful for homes with limited internet bandwidth.
The redesigned Siri Remote retains its familiar shape but adds Find My support with Precision Finding. Users can trigger a sound and use their iPhone to find it when it vanishes into the sofa. It will also be sold separately for older Apple TV models.
Apple has added three far-field microphones to the box, so users can speak to Siri from across the room. Its echo cancellation is designed to pick out a voice while the TV audio is playing.
Siri AI gets a full-screen interface for finding shows and films. It can answer broad questions, such as which Apple TV titles won awards, and suggest related programmes from the Apple TV app. When users ask questions while watching a show, answers appear in a compact overlay.
With an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, Siri can access personal context to handle requests such as playing a series a friend recommended. Siri AI will be available in beta in India in English at launch.
Apple TV 4K can now pair with four HomePod mini 2 speakers, detecting their placement and calibrating audio for surround sound. It can also use HomePod 2nd-generation speakers, provided the front and rear pairs match.
It remains a Home hub. Compatible doorbell alerts can appear on the TV, allowing users to see and talk to someone at the door, then control other accessories such as a lock. Apple also says its Home app will get camera-activity descriptions and summary notifications.
Apple TV 4K can be pre-ordered now for ₹39,900 and will be available from November 13.