Older Apple TVs got up to 10 years of updates
Apple makes no promise on how long the new $299 Apple TV 4K will be supported, but past boxes got eight to 10 years of major tvOS updates.
The facts
- According to Engadget, the new Apple TV 4K costs $299, goes on sale November 13 and has an A19 chip.
- Apple does not guarantee how many tvOS updates its streaming boxes will get. Past models received major updates for eight to 10 years.
- The 2015 Apple TV HD and 2017 Apple TV 4K were both updated to tvOS 26 in 2025. Neither can run tvOS 27, which starts with the 2021 model. Apple has not said whether they will get more security patches.
- Amazon promises at least four years of security updates for Fire TV devices bought new from the company. A replacement Siri Remote costs $59.
Case notes · Danny's take
Why it matters
A $299 box that sits under your TV is a long-term purchase, and Apple's only real promise is its track record. Amazon at least puts a minimum support period in writing. In a market where a small dollar figure is serious money in naira, that gap matters. Judge the box by how it performs, not by its age.
For builders
As developers raise their minimum tvOS requirements, older boxes could lose app support before they lose security patches. If you build for Apple TV, check which tvOS versions your users are on before you drop older ones.
Not financial advice. Do your own investigation.
This story was summarised with AI from Engadget's reporting and checked against our editorial policy. Danny's take reflects his views. Disclaimer.
Danny Walter
Founder of Moon Republic, Volt Terminal and Moon Republic Academy. Author of The Market Is a Crime Scene and After the Applause.