Apple reassures users after delayed Siri timelines and unveils its expanded AI roadmap
Apple CEO Tim Cook has officially confirmed that the company’s next-generation Siri will launch next year, marking the biggest overhaul of the voice assistant since its debut in 2011.
Speaking during Apple’s quarterly earnings call, Cook told investors that the company is “making good progress” on its long-awaited Siri update, which will serve as a cornerstone of Apple’s artificial intelligence (AI) strategy.
“We’re also excited for a more personalized Siri. We’re making good progress on it, and as we’ve shared, we expect to release it next year,” Cook said.
The upgraded Siri will reportedly debut with iOS 26.4, featuring a redesigned interface, smarter conversational skills, and deeper ecosystem integration across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
Apple reassures users after Siri delays
Apple’s confirmation comes after months of speculation and repeated delays that had cast doubt on the company’s AI ambitions.
Cook’s renewed emphasis on the “next year” timeline has reassured users and investors who feared another postponement.
A recent Bloomberg report, however, revealed that internal testers have raised concerns about Siri’s consistency in early iOS 26.4 builds — though Cook’s remarks suggest Apple remains confident in hitting its target release window.
Inside Apple’s new ‘Intelligence’ push
The next-gen Siri is part of Apple’s broader “Apple Intelligence” initiative, designed to bring smarter, privacy-first AI features across its ecosystem.
Recent innovations highlighted by Cook include:
Live Translation: Real-time multilingual communication powered by on-device processing.
Visual Intelligence: AI-based image recognition that helps users explore and learn from photos.
Workout Buddy: A new Apple Watch feature using AI to deliver personalized fitness insights.
Cook emphasized that Apple’s AI philosophy focuses on privacy and on-device processing, distinguishing it from competitors that rely heavily on cloud-based models.
“At the heart of it all is Apple silicon. These incredibly advanced chips make Apple products the very best place to experience the power of AI,” Cook added.
Developers testing iOS 26.4 Siri beta
Developers are already testing the iOS 26.4 developer preview, which introduces the re-engineered Siri with contextual awareness, multi-step task execution, and a more natural conversation flow.
Once public, users can expect Siri to handle complex tasks — such as summarizing messages, planning routes, or editing calendar events — in a single command.
The new update will also enable tighter integration between devices, allowing Siri on iPhone to trigger actions on Mac or Apple Watch seamlessly.
Apple’s big AI moment
The Siri upgrade is part of a larger strategy to bridge Apple’s hardware efficiency with AI-powered software — a move seen as critical to competing with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot.
If Apple delivers on its promises, 2025 could mark the company’s true AI breakthrough, blending privacy, personalization, and performance in one unified experience.
