Apple will rely on Google’s Gemini model to power the next generation of Siri, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The companies are finalizing a deal worth around $1 billion per year for access to Google’s technology. The new Siri is expected to launch in spring 2026 as part of the iOS 26.4 update.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Google’s 1.2 trillion parameter model will handle the summarizer and planner functions of Siri. These are the parts that interpret user requests, organize information, and decide how to complete multi-step tasks. Apple’s own AI models will still manage some Siri features, but the heavy lifting will come from Gemini.
A $1 Billion Partnership
Apple evaluated several AI partners before choosing Google. It tested models from Anthropic and OpenAI but found Google’s pricing more practical. Gurman says Apple will pay roughly $1 billion each year for Gemini’s use, a cost that reportedly outweighs any performance edge from Anthropic’s model.
Gemini will run on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers, meaning user data will stay within Apple’s systems. Google will not have access to personal information, a key detail in Apple’s ongoing privacy commitment.
How Big is Gemini Compared to Apple’s AI?
Google’s Gemini model is enormous. It has 1.2 trillion parameters, a measure of its ability to understand and respond to language. Apple’s current cloud-based model has 150 billion parameters, while its smaller on-device model has only 3 billion. Bloomberg describes Gemini as “dwarfing” Apple’s current technology.
Gemini also uses a Mixture-of-Experts system, which activates only part of its total parameters per task. This approach allows massive compute capacity without extreme processing costs.
Apple’s Long-Term AI Goals
Despite this deal, Apple still wants its own large-scale model. Gurman notes that Apple’s internal AI team is already developing a 1 trillion parameter model that could be ready for consumers as early as next year. The company sees the Google partnership as temporary, a bridge while it catches up in AI research.
Apple’s delay in rolling out an upgraded Siri led to this collaboration. The company planned a new version with iOS 18, but technical shortcomings forced a full rebuild. The upcoming Siri aims to handle complex requests and multi-app tasks, putting it closer to tools like ChatGPT or Claude, though Apple is not developing a separate chatbot app.
The deal marks a rare reversal of roles between the two rivals. While Google already pays Apple billions each year to remain the default search engine on Safari, Apple will now pay Google to power one of its most important AI features.
