If you live in the EU and own an Apple smartphone or tablet, you might be waiting a long while for the latest software upgrades. The new Siri AI launched in beta with iOS 27 earlier in September, but strict regional rules mean the release is currently on pause overseas. Now, a new report suggests this holdup for the company could easily stretch well into next year.
The delay could last more than five months for users
According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, a wait of about five months is the absolute best case scenario for people wanting to try the new artificial intelligence features. This five month guess is based on how the company handled its previous intelligence updates, which took a similar amount of time to reach European customers.
If history repeats itself, an arrival date of mid February 2027 is the earliest possible window for the release. However, Gurman notes that the wait could be much longer as the company continues working out how to follow digital rules in the region. Interestingly, this restriction only applies to mobile devices and watches. People using a Mac or Vision Pro in the region already have access to the new AI tools.
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The company is using this holdup to pressure regulators
The report points out that the tech giant might be keeping the upgrade away from the iPhone on purpose. By holding back the software, it hopes that unhappy customers will complain to the European Commission. The idea is to use public pressure to push back against the current rulebook.
It remains to be seen if the lack of this voice assistant upgrade is enough to make customers take action. While European users are clearly disappointed about missing out on the update, the company has not yet given a clear date for when it will resolve the issue. Until it finds a path forward that works with local laws, mobile users in the region will just have to manage without the newest tools.
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