Apple iPlay Console to Launch in 2028 for 999 Euros, Reports Hardwareluxx
Apple will enter the dedicated console market in 2028 with the iPlay, a 680-gram aluminum monolith priced at 999 euros, Hardwareluxx reported.
The Tech TL;DR:
- Apple releases its first dedicated gaming console in 2028, featuring a custom 2nm Apple G1 processor and 32 GB of unified gaming memory for 999 euros.
- The compact 12.7 × 12.7 × 3.1 cm chassis uses a bottom-up centrifugal airflow design to cool a 120W maximum load without external vents.
- Connectivity relies strictly on two Thunderbolt 5 ports, supporting up to 8K video output and 80 to 120 Gbit/s data transfer rates.
Measuring 12.7 × 12.7 × 3.1 cm, the space-black console dispenses with bulky plastic towers in favor of an anodized aluminum enclosure. The machine draws a maximum of 120 watts under full load, relying on an internal centrifugal fan and copper vapor chamber to pull fresh air through a circular base and exhaust it downward.
The chassis carries no buttons or visible grilles on its front or back panels, save for a microscopic white status LED and two Thunderbolt 5 ports on the rear.
Apple G1 Processor Architecture
At the center of the design sits the Apple G1 gaming processor, fabricated using TSMC’s 2nm N2P process with gate-all-around nanosheets. The chip pairs a 12- to 16-core CPU with a 48-core GPU via a 1.5 TB/s UltraFusion interconnect. The graphics unit incorporates hardware-accelerated ray tracing, path tracing, and mesh shading under Metal 4, while a 32-core Neural Engine handles real-time upscaling and frame generation through MetalFX 2.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Apple G1 (2nm TSMC N2P) |
| Memory | 32 GB GDDR6 Unified (256-bit bus, 512 GB/s) |
| Storage | 1 TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD (7.5 GB/s) |
| Power & Ports | 120W max (USB PD 3.1), 2x Thunderbolt 5 |
Surrounding the SoC are eight GDDR6 memory chips in a clamshell arrangement, delivering 32 GB of unified gaming memory across a 256-bit interface with 512 GB/s of bandwidth. A fixed 1 TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe solid-state drive connects directly to the board, achieving read speeds up to 7.5 GB/s to eliminate load times.
Thunderbolt 5 Ports Handle Power and High-Speed Data
The rear interface cuts out traditional HDMI and power ports entirely in favor of two symmetric Thunderbolt 5 connections. The first port handles power delivery up to 120W via USB PD 3.1 and transmits video signals through DisplayPort 2.1 with Display Stream Compression for resolutions up to 8K at 120 Hz or 4K at 240 Hz.
The second port provides 80 Gbit/s of bidirectional data bandwidth, extendable to 120 Gbit/s via bandwidth boost, for external storage and accessories.
Out of the box, the system ships with a matching matte-black iController featuring an ergonomic PlayStation 5 layout, adaptive triggers, and high-definition haptics. Communication with the console utilizes ultra-wideband and Wi-Fi 7 for low-latency inputs. The machine runs a streamlined version of gameOS, booting directly into a unified library supporting cross-play across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS.
Always consult with certified IT and cybersecurity professionals before altering enterprise networks or handling sensitive data.