Apple says it still plans to launch its smarter, more capable version of Siri in 2026, even as reports point to internal delays. The company had long promised a major Siri upgrade powered by Apple Intelligence, with new contextual and in-app capabilities. Now, questions around timing have sparked fresh scrutiny from investors.
The update was widely expected to arrive with iOS 26.4 in spring 2026. However, recent reports suggest Apple may miss that internal milestone. If that happens, the new Siri features could shift to iOS 26.5 or even later updates tied to iOS 27. Publicly, Apple has only committed to a 2026 release window.
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Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple’s internal rollout plan for Siri has slipped. He said the company originally targeted iOS 26.4, but the features may now appear in iOS 26.5 or later this year. His report triggered a sharp market reaction.
Soon after, CNBC’s Steve Kovach said Apple confirmed to him that it remains on track for a 2026 launch. Apple did not address the internal delay claims directly. Instead, it reiterated what it has said before: customers should expect the long-promised Siri upgrade in 2026.
What’s Coming to Siri
Apple first previewed the next generation of Siri at WWDC 2024. The company highlighted three core upgrades:
- Onscreen awareness, so Siri understands what you are viewing
- Personal context, allowing it to reference your messages, files, and habits
- Deeper in-app actions, letting Siri complete tasks across apps
Apple later added work on features like image generation and improved web search tools.
Still, testing has exposed issues. Reports say Siri sometimes fails to process queries correctly or responds too slowly. Because of that, Apple may release features in stages across multiple updates instead of one major drop.
Apple’s stock fell about five percent following the delay report and FTC warning earlier today. The company’s reaffirmation aims to steady confidence, but it leaves open the question of exact timing.
Apple plans to release the first beta of iOS 26.4 later this month. That update should offer clearer signs about how close the new Siri features are to public rollout.
Apple, you have the better OS (portable and desktop) but you’re falling way behind on the AI front.
Tim Apple needs to get busy, or go ahead and pass the baton.