Every week we answer your cord cutting questions live on YouTube at 8 PM Eastern. Almost every week we are asked if there will be a new Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV. With so many people asking, we thought it would be a good idea to answer this question on the site for everyone.
So, will we be getting a new Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV this year? Here is our answer:
New Roku Players & Roku TVs
Roku seems to update at least one Roku player every year and roll out new Roku TVs every year. The good news is 2019 will likely be no different even if the update is small.
First, let’s look at what we know. There are new Roku TVs on their way including a new TCL 8K Roku TV and 75″ Roku TVs. Roku has also announced that they have added several new partners so look for even more new Roku TVs in 2019.
Here is a quick look at the TCL 75″ and 8K Roku TVs we saw at CES last month:
What about new Roku players?
Last year we got a new Roku Premiere and Premiere+ as cheap low-end 4K streaming players. We also got an updated Roku Ultra that was the same as the year before but with better earbuds from JBL.
There are a few Roku players that are starting to show their age: the Roku Stick and Roku Stick+. Both players are a few years old, and the Fire TV Stick 4K has finally caught up to them. The Roku Express is also in an interesting spot because recently the Roku Premiere with 4K has been on sale for the same price as the Roku Express that is only in HD.
So, I would not be surprised to see Roku update their Roku Sticks and Roku Express. It also wouldn’t shock me to find the Roku Ultra get a slight update.
When will this happen? There are two times a year Roku typically rolls out new Roku players: In the spring we often see a new Roku Stick and in the fall we often see new Roku boxes in time for the Christmas shopping season.
I wouldn’t wait because the current Roku players are very powerful and great options. So, if you want to get a Roku, don’t hesitate.
What about a new Apple TV?
Apple has been on a two-year schedule recently for the Apple TV. This fall will be two years since we got the last Apple TV update. There has even been reports that Apple is working on a cheaper Apple TV. Some have said that this will be an Apple TV Stick, but others have said Apple is not working on an Apple TV Stick.
When will the new Apple TV likely come out?
What we do know is Apple is getting ready to roll out a new streaming service in the first half of this year. A cheaper Apple TV will go a long way to helping them sell a new streaming player. So, I wouldn’t count out Apple releasing a new Apple TV around the time the new streaming service is released to promote the new service.
What about new Fire TVs?
Last year Amazon rolled out the new Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Stick 4K. The one player that is up for an update is the Fire TV Stick HD. This is the new low-end streaming player that takes on the lower end Roku Express and Roku Stick.
The question now is will Amazon update it this year? The answer is not likely as Amazon did just update it by adding an updated remote with the ability to control your TV’s power and volume. I would be surprised to see Amazon roll out a new Fire TV Stick or any Fire TV product early this year. We are likely looking at no new Fire TVs or maybe a minor update just in time for the Christmas shopping season because all of Amazon’s current streaming players have had an update or a new release in the last 12 months.
What do you think will happen and what do you want to happen? Leave us a comment and let us know.
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