Certainly not a hardcore console. Casual Apple Arcade games (current Apple TV majority demographic) and AAA 1 for 1 ports focusing on graphical fidelity are two different markets. The fact that the iOS version of Assassins Creed Mirage is releasing the same day as the console and PC versions makes me think that Apple is looking to potentially throw their hat into the console market (again) and possibly be a competitor for the Big 3…and mobile is the perfect basic platform to check consumer interest with AAA games on iOS before going to the TV / living room.
Although in order for them to penetrate this cemented market it’s inevitable that Apple is going to try (likely timed) exclusive deals with publishers. They already do this for Arcade.