The Apple TV 4K hasn’t been updated in over three and a half years, which is an eternity in technology. But 9to5Mac reports that the new tvOS 14.5 beta references support for 120 Hz refresh rates – a capability that no currently available Apple TV model has – which may indicate that Apple is working on a new version of its set-top box.
While it is not clear why Apple can use a 120 Hz refresh rate on a new Apple TV, one of the most intriguing possibilities is for smoother games, such as what is offered with 120 Hz support on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Apple has shown an increase in interest in games, so it wouldn’t be a big surprise if the new Apple TV had more gaming-focused features.
For example, Apple just added a bunch of new games to its Apple Arcade game subscription service, which allows you to play on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV and upload your progress across platforms. And the betas of iOS 14.5, macOS 11.3 and tvOS 14.5 also include support for the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller and the Xbox Series X controller – presumably, that support will be moved to the final versions of the software.
The supposed 120 Hz support for Apple TV would also line up with a Bloomberg December report, which said that Apple was working on a new Apple TV sometime this year with a “stronger focus on games”. (That report also said that the new converter would have a redesigned remote control, which will be easier to use.) Although we don’t know exactly when Apple will announce this device, or if it will announce it, if you are looking for a new Apple TV , you may want to wait a while.