Early next year, Apple plans to launch a new version of Siri with iOS 26.4. After over a year of delays, it’s clear that the company is still working to make this AI assistant better. Reports suggest some Apple engineers are worried about how the software performs in testing.
As we’re about six months away from the official release, there’s still room for improvement. In Bloomberg’s newsletter, Mark Gurman highlighted that there might be significant changes in Apple’s AI team if this new Siri doesn’t meet expectations. Concerns about its performance are already surfacing among testers.
Apple hasn’t enjoyed much success in the AI field lately. At WWDC24, the company finally committed to AI, unveiling features that run directly on Apple devices. While some smaller features, like photo cleanup tools and ChatGPT integration, have launched successfully, a complete overhaul of Siri has not.
Initially, Apple promised major upgrades to Siri that would enable it to understand users better and perform actions within apps. However, these changes were delayed because they did not meet Apple’s quality standards.
In a recent interview, Apple’s software chief Craig Federighi noted that the team needs more time to redesign Siri, with a hopeful release set for 2026.
Currently, there are two teams at Apple exploring different solutions for Siri. One approach uses models that run directly on devices, while the other relies on Google’s AI in a cloud environment. It’s unclear which model the current version of Siri is using, but it seems Apple is leaning on its in-house capabilities.
Experts in AI express that these efforts are crucial. According to a recent survey, about 75% of tech professionals believe a strong AI assistant can significantly enhance user experience. If Apple’s new Siri performs well, it could revive the company’s reputation in the AI space.
Many consumers on social media are hopeful yet skeptical. Users share their excitement for a better Siri but worry about whether Apple can deliver.
As we approach the release, it’s likely that opinions and conversations around Siri will intensify, reflecting both anticipation and concern.
For more on Apple’s AI initiatives, check out the latest updates here.
