'Apple TV 4K' shipping with six-core A10X Fusion chip, 3GB of RAM [u]

Apple's new streaming set-top will be called the "Apple TV 4K," and come with a six-core A10X Fusion processor and 3 gigabytes of RAM, according to the latest information gleaned from the iOS 11 GM. [Updated with clarification on cores]

The device will be capable of playing 4K video at 60 frames per second, said the source of previous iOS 11 GM leaks, Steve Troughton-Smith. The A10X is notably the same chip in the used in this year's 10.5- and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, but may lack some of the technologies present in the "A11" expected in the "iPhone X" and "iPhone 8."

On Saturday, code from the GM revealed that a fifth-generation Apple TV will play 2160p video, and as previously hinted, support Dolby Vision and HDR10. For some owners the limiting factor on video quality may be bandwidth, since the device should warn 4K streamers if sustained internet speeds fall below 15 megabits per second.

Aside from upgraded specifications, the set-top will come loaded with tvOS 11, offering features like notification support, automatic light/dark mode switching, and homescreen sync in homes with multiple units. Still more could be revealed at Apple's Tuesday press event, since the company will sometimes keep software changes hidden to protect secrets about hardware.

That event is expected to focus on Apple's new iPhones, as well as an LTE Apple Watch and slightly upgraded AirPods. AppleInsider will cover developments live from the newly-opened Steve Jobs Theater, located at Apple Park.

Update: In a follow-up tweet, Troughton-Smith said that the set-top's A10X will actually have six cores, split in half between apps and background processes.

73 Comments

curtis hannah 12 Years · 1834 comments

About 7 years ago

Hmm, I wonder if the full software support, outside of 4k(like 1080p with the Gen 2) will come to the Gen 4 Apple TV).

tipoo 14 Years · 1122 comments

Saweet. While it seems overkill for a streaming box, I hope this means Apple still sees potential in it as a microconsole. Keep updating it with the last X chip and it would be breathing down the 8th gen base consoles necks in a few years.

A bundle in controller would go a long way, but it helps that they dropped the wand controller requirement

Mike Wuerthele 8 Years · 6906 comments

tipoo said:

Saweet. While it seems overkill for a streaming box, I hope this means Apple still sees potential in it as a microconsole. Keep updating it with the last X chip and it would be breathing down the 8th gen base consoles necks in a few years.

A bundle in controller would go a long way, but it helps that they dropped the wand controller requirement

I'm not sure that this is a harbinger of constant updates to the product. Instead, I think that the A10X in it is probably a "design it now, update it in a few years" mentality.

GeorgeBMac 8 Years · 11421 comments

This sounds great!
... Now all I need is something that I actually want to watch....

ericthehalfbee 13 Years · 4489 comments

Mike Wuerthele said:

tipoo said:

Saweet. While it seems overkill for a streaming box, I hope this means Apple still sees potential in it as a microconsole. Keep updating it with the last X chip and it would be breathing down the 8th gen base consoles necks in a few years.

A bundle in controller would go a long way, but it helps that they dropped the wand controller requirement

I'm not sure that this is a harbinger of constant updates to the product. Instead, I think that the A10X in it is probably a "design it now, update it in a few years" mentality.

Still massive overkill, though. 4K today and in 3 years still requires the same power to decide and display.

I think it's for gaming.