Apple is reportedly holding an event on Tuesday, October 13, where it is expected to unveil a new Apple TV 4K — the first hardware refresh since 2022 — alongside a smart home hub and a new HomePod mini. The reports come from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and Apple has not officially confirmed the date or the products.
If the rumors hold, the new Apple TV 4K gets a faster chip (reports point to an A19-class processor, though some cite A17 Pro-class — the exact silicon is unconfirmed), more memory, support for Apple's rebuilt Siri AI, and Apple's own wireless chip for improved Wi-Fi and Thread connectivity. A refreshed Siri Remote is also rumored. Pricing is unknown.
Here's what isn't rumored: it will run tvOS, and tvOS means Apple's walled garden. No sideloading. No installing apps from outside the App Store. What Apple approves is what you get.
That single fact is the whole comparison.
What the new Apple TV 4K is expected to offer
Based on reporting to date (all unconfirmed until Apple says so):
- Faster chip for Siri AI and Apple Intelligence features running on-device
- More RAM than the current model's 4GB
- Apple's own N1 wireless chip — Wi-Fi 7-class, Bluetooth, and Thread for smart home
- Refreshed Siri Remote (details scarce)
- Same compact design as the current model, per reports
The current Apple TV 4K (2022) sells for $129 (64GB) and $149 (128GB). Expect the new model to land in the same premium bracket — Apple doesn't do budget streamers.
Where it falls short for power users
- No sideloading. tvOS has no mechanism for installing apps outside the App Store. If an app isn't approved by Apple, it doesn't exist on the box.
- No USB ports, no storage expansion. 64GB or 128GB internal, and that's final.
- No Ethernet on the base model. The current 64GB model is Wi-Fi only; wired networking requires stepping up.
- Premium price for the hardware. You're paying Apple-tax dollars for silicon you'll mostly use to launch Netflix.
For someone deep in the Apple ecosystem who wants a polished, appliance-like streamer — and never touches anything outside the App Store — it's a fine box. For everyone else, the walls close in fast.
The Formuler Z11 Pro Max: the open alternative
The Formuler Z11 Pro Max takes the opposite approach. It runs an open Android-based platform, which means:
- Sideloading is fully supported. Install any compatible Android app, including ones no app store carries.
- USB ports and microSD expansion. Add storage for recordings and media libraries; the Apple TV's fixed storage isn't a constraint here.
- MYTVOnline3 built in — Formuler's purpose-built portal interface.
- Gigabit Ethernet standard, plus dual-band Wi-Fi.
- 4GB RAM / 32GB storage with room to grow.
Priced at $209.99, it sits near Apple's bracket — but every dollar goes toward flexibility rather than a logo.
Side-by-side
| Apple TV 4K (2026, rumored) | Formuler Z11 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | tvOS (locked) | Open Android-based platform |
| Sideloading | No | Yes |
| Storage expansion | No | USB + microSD |
| Ethernet | Likely only on higher tier | Gigabit standard |
| Voice assistant | Siri AI (expected) | Google Assistant |
| Price (USD) | ~$129+ expected | $209.99 |
Who should buy which
Buy the Apple TV 4K if: you live in the Apple ecosystem, want the most polished interface in streaming, use Apple Fitness+, Apple Arcade, or HomeKit heavily, and will never need an app Apple hasn't approved.
Buy the Formuler Z11 Pro Max if: you want to install whatever apps you choose, expand storage, use USB peripherals, or just don't want a trillion-dollar company deciding which software you're allowed to run.
Frequently asked questions
When is the new Apple TV 4K coming out?
Apple is rumored to unveil it on October 13, 2026. Apple has not confirmed the date.
How much will the new Apple TV 4K cost?
Unknown. The current model sells for $129 (64GB), so expect a similar premium price.
Can you sideload apps on Apple TV?
No. tvOS does not allow installing apps from outside the App Store.
Is the Formuler Z11 Pro Max better than Apple TV 4K?
It depends on your priorities. The Z11 Pro Max offers sideloading, USB ports, and storage expansion that Apple TV lacks. Apple TV offers a more polished interface and deep Apple ecosystem integration.
Related guides
- Fire TV Stick 4K (2026) vs Open Android Boxes: The Sideloading Question
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs Formuler Z11 Pro Max
- Nvidia Shield TV Pro vs Formuler Z11 Pro Max