NVIDIA Shield TV with updated Tegra X1 and Android 9.0 Pie is in the works

By Harish Jonnalagadda
last updated

NVIDIA Shield TV
NVIDIA Shield TV (Image credit: Android Central)

What you need to know

  • New variant of the NVIDIA Shield TV showed up on the Google Play Developer console.
  • It's codennamed mdarcy and is running Pie.
  • We could see an updated Tegra chipset powering the new device.

The NVIDIA Shield TV hasn't received much in the way of updates following its launch all tthe way back in 2015, and although NVIDIA rolled out a new slimmer option, the internal hardware hasn't changed between the two models.

It looks like we're finally going to see a new model sometime this year, as a new variant of the Shield TV with codename mdarcy has showed up on the Google Play Developer console. As spotted by Android Police, the new model will run Android 9.0 Pie out of the box.

NVIDIA Shield TV vs. NVIDIA Shield TV Pro: Which Should You Buy?

The current Shield TV is codenamed darcy, and while it is still one of the best Android TV boxes money can buy, NVIDIA will be looking to update the aging platform. It looks like the upcoming Shield TV will feature a newer t210b01 version of the Tegra X1 chipset that has better power usage and higher clocks for the GPU, according to the folks over at XDA.

We'll have to wait and see what NVIDIA has in store with the Shield TV refresh, but in the meantime, what would you like to see from the device? Sound off in the comments below.

Harish Jonnalagadda
Harish Jonnalagadda
Senior Editor - Asia

Harish Jonnalagadda is a Senior Editor overseeing Asia at Android Central. He leads the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, contributing to reviews, features, and buying guides. He also writes about storage servers, audio products, and the semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.

10 Comments
  • What's the point though? The current ShieldTV seems to be pretty powerful enough to run everything at it and it's not like they are pushing the envelope with the exclusive games on it.
  • The reason it's getting a "refresh" is that Nvidia is dropping the version of the Tegra X1 that is in the current model (and is almost 5 years old) for a new spin of the chipset/cpu on a much smaller process.
    That gives them an "opportunity" (forced to really) to redesign the system around the new version and new features it brings (like support for Android 9 Pie.)
    The original Tegra X1 was built on an old 20 nm process that frankly is no longer supported by the TSMC foundry they use. They are going to replace it with the newer updated version that will be used in the new version of the Nintendo Switch that will be coming out next year, based on a 10 nm TSMC process. It should have higher CPU speeds, and lower power consumption.
  • "It looks like the NVIDIA Shield TV is getting a much-needed refresh." Yet you failed to mention a single valid reason why a refresh is much-needed. The current model already does everything it needs to do well and is able to decode virtually any video or audio you throw at it.
  • I concur with the previous comments. The only way I could see this helping me personally is that a more powerful GPU might improve 4k game streaming from my PC. Right now it struggles a bit so I rarely do it.
  • Are we sure it's a TV box? I'm hoping the m is for mobile and what we're actually getting is a new Shield tablet running Chrome and approved for Stadia. If it docked to become an Android TV device then bonus.
  • I don't care about a refresh. What I would like to see is an updated Hulu app and support for Dolby Vision and Atmos from Netflix app. I start using my Xbox One X for Hulu and Netflix and it is much better. They have done a pretty good job with the Shield. I really like it.
  • Agree. Dolby Vision and Atmos would really add to it. Also while I think it does HDR 10, I would like it to do the plus variant. And play 3D iso files. I know most people don't care about 3D anymore, but I still use it on occasion and have to use a different Android box to play 3D iso files I ripped from my collection.
  • I totally agree.....200%
  • I think the most important update should be a full android. Android Tv should accept any app or game just like Google Store on the phone.
    Even worse Shield should support every game out there since it is a gaming device too. How come Sega Arcade game are not there!?
  • All fine, but I hope to have and aluminum chassis.