At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, Apple unveiled a preview of its forthcoming iOS 18 firmware, prominently featuring a new suite of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. While many anticipated features have already been integrated into the iPhone, the highly awaited AI-enhanced version of Siri—equipped with contextual awareness and natural language processing—remains absent. Recent reports indicate that Apple has set an internal target for its release, potentially occurring in the first half of 2026.
Launch Timeline for Enhanced Siri
According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is focused on advancing its AI developments, with an upgraded version of Siri expected to play a significant role. The internal goal suggests that the launch could coincide with the iOS 26.4 update, anticipated for Spring 2026.
During WWDC 2025, which took place just days ago, Apple reiterated promises regarding the much-anticipated Siri improvements. Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, informed attendees that the enhancements would be available within the “coming year,” which represents a considerable shift from the initial timeline of a Fall 2024 release. Federighi acknowledged the need for additional time to meet the company’s stringent quality standards.
The delay in Siri’s rollout has been linked to technical difficulties encountered during development. In the transition to iOS 18, Apple divided its AI assistant into two distinct systems: the familiar existing model for standard tasks such as placing calls and setting timers, and a new generation platform intended to support advanced functionalities. Problems arose when attempting to integrate these disparate architectures, resulting in bugs and necessitating a complete reconstruction of Siri.
While the proposed timeline for release hinges on overcoming development challenges, Apple might unveil some of these features during the new iPhone launch event, typically scheduled for September, which is when the iPhone 17 series is expected to be revealed. However, no definitive confirmation has been provided.
Gurman also pointed out that there is an ongoing internal dispute within Apple’s teams. The software development group, responsible for the AI features, has reportedly criticized the marketing team for allegedly inflating expectations during keynotes and promotional materials, while the marketing team maintains they adhered to the timelines set by the developers.
