It appears that the Apple TV 4K is receiving an update, with one of the industry’s top analysts forecasting that a less expensive model will be released in the second half of 2022 – though it’s unclear what that model will look like.

This information comes from Ming-Chi Kuo, a reliable source for Apple leaks. The last time Apple updated its media streaming gadget was in April 2021, when it received a speedier processor and a revamped remote control.

It’s probable that the new box may replace the Apple TV HD, which was released in 2015 and is still available – it costs $149 / £139 / AU$209 at the time of writing, vs $179 / £169 / AU$249 for the Apple TV 4K.

Kuo doesn’t say much about the next gadget, other than that it’ll be released in the second half of this year and that it’ll have a better “cost structure” – which may mean a smaller streaming stick like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K.

We’re thinking it’ll handle 4K resolutions, given that it’s 2022, and that all of Apple’s normal technologies will be integrated in, including AirPlay for beaming content across from an iPhone or a Mac.

Apple’s renewed focus on content and services is mentioned in Kuo’s tweet, and any new hardware we get will be utilized to push Apple TV Plus out to more subscribers (and may well come with a free trial of the service).