We’ve heard rumors about the next generation of Apple TV for more than a year, and while more evidence has been found, Apple’s plans for its set-top box remain unknown. Although, 9to5Mac found references to 120 Hz support in the tvOS 14.5 beta code, which is something that would not work on the current generation Apple TV due to hardware limitations.
Multiple references to “120 Hz” and “120 Hz support” have been added to tvOS PineBoard in the latest beta. For those who do not know the subject, PineBoard is the internal name of the system that controls the Apple TV interface, similar to the SpringBoard of the iPhone and iPad. These references strongly suggest that Apple is at least internally testing a 120 Hz mode for Apple TV.
It is important to note, however, that the current Apple TV 4K does not support 120 Hz – even with a software update. That’s because the Apple TV of the current generation is equipped with an HDMI 2.0 port, which is limited to a resolution of 4K at 60Hz. To enable 4K resolution at 120 Hz, an HDMI 2.1 port is required.
With a higher refresh rate, the interface would look much smoother – and games could also benefit from this technology. This, of course, would also require a 120Hz compatible TV.
In 2019, a source said 9to5Mac that a new model of Apple TV with an HDMI 2.1 port was under development. At the same time, the leaker known as Longhorn said the new Apple TV (identified as Apple TV 11.1) would feature the A12 chip. More references about this model were found in the tvOS 13.4 beta, but Apple has never introduced this product.
More recently, Bloomberg reported that an updated Apple TV is still in progress for 2021, and while we believed it would have a new remote, it was found that Apple is only working with cable companies to offer a universal remote that works with Apple TV.
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