New Apple TV and HomePod mini released this year support Wi-Fi 6E

Mark Gurman reports that Apple will equip the new Apple TV and HomePod mini with custom-developed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combination chips. He explains that the chips will support Wi-Fi 6E, which will serve as a key upgrade for both devices. Wi-Fi 6E extends Wi-Fi 6’s capabilities to the 6 GHz band. This will provide faster wireless speeds and less signal interference when paired with a compatible router.

The current Apple TV, released in October 2022, already supports Wi-Fi 6. Therefore, upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E seems natural. However, questions remain about whether the next-generation HomePod mini will adopt Wi-Fi 6E. Apple has previously used older Wi-Fi standards in its HomePod speakers.

For example, the existing HomePod mini supports only the Wi-Fi 4 standard, which has now been phased out.

The next-generation Apple TV is expected to feature a more powerful A-series chip. The current Apple TV uses the A15 Bionic chip, which Apple launched with the iPhone 13 series in 2021. Since then, Apple has launched multiple A-series chip updates, including A16 Bionic, A17 Pro, A18 and A18 Pro.

There haven’t been any reports of major changes to the design of the next-generation Apple TV. However, Gurman revealed that Apple is considering adding built-in cameras to future models. With the new tvOS 17, Apple TV now supports FaceTime. Users can make video calls using the camera of a connected iPhone or iPad. If Apple adds a built-in camera to Apple TV, users won’t need external devices to make video calls.

The next-generation HomePod mini may feature a new “S” chip. It could improve sound quality, include a new ultra-wideband chip for better device relay, and offer new color options. The current HomePod mini was released in November 2020. It has the same S5 chip as the Apple Watch Series 5.