Apple's upcoming Siri update in iOS 26.4 has raised concerns among employees about its performance, months before the release. Insiders fear if it fails, senior AI staff may leave.
Apple plans new Siri for iOS 26.4
Engineers have reported performance concerns
Release still six months away
Siri’s previous delays noted
Two teams developing different approaches
AI talent recruitment issues cited
Apple is preparing to debut a significantly redesigned Siri voice assistant in iOS 26.4, expected to launch in spring 2026 after multiple delays. However, internal testing reveals that some Apple engineers have concerns about Siri’s current performance, raising questions about whether the assistant will meet the company’s high standards in time for release.[1][3][10]
Siri’s Comprehensive Overhaul and Planned Features Are Ambitious
Apple’s Siri overhaul is a fundamental rebuild infused with AI, aiming to transform how users interact with their devices. The new Siri is designed to deliver:
Key Features Planned for the New Siri
Personal Context Understanding: Siri will remember and utilize on-device signals about schedules, contacts, media, and past interactions, to provide meaningful, privacy-respecting responses. For example, answering “When was the last time I talked to Jen?” without compromising user data.[1]
On-Screen Awareness: Siri will interpret and respond to content on the screen, enabling commands like “Summarize this article” or “Add this event to my calendar” without requiring app switching.[1]
In-App Actions: Siri will not only launch apps but also take actionable tasks inside system and supported third-party apps for a seamless experience.[3][1]
Development Delays and Internal Challenges Behind the Scenes Are Significant
Originally planned for iOS 18.4 in early 2025, Siri’s new iteration has encountered setbacks pushing the launch to spring 2026. Reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and others confirm internal unease about responsiveness and reliability in early iOS 26.4 builds.[10][3][1]
Engineers report current builds struggle with basic queries and contextual understanding.
The re-architecture involves combining on-device intelligence with cloud fallback, balancing Apple’s strict privacy philosophy.[10]
Apple’s AI Models Bake-off: Apple On-Device Versus Google Gemini
Apple is conducting an internal competition between two approaches powering Siri’s AI:
Apple’s Native On-Device AI Models, focused on local data processing and privacy.
Google’s Gemini AI, running via private cloud compute, potentially offering superior model capability.[3][1]
The final architecture powering Siri remains undecided, adding uncertainty ahead of the release.
Talent Retention Pressures and Leadership Changes Impact Development
Challenges also stem from difficulty retaining AI talent, with leadership reshuffles including Mike Rockwell taking over Siri development from John Giannandrea. These transitions influence development direction and morale.[4][3]
Timeline and Market Implications for Siri’s Release
iOS 26.4 Release: Tentatively planned for March–April 2026.[3][1]
WWDC 2026: Expected public unveiling of Siri roadmap, developer API expansions, and multi-language support.[1]
Apple’s ability to deliver on Siri 2.0 is critical for competing in a market led by generative AI assistants like ChatGPT and Google Assistant.[1]
Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. L. Fischer earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media.
Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society.
Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI.
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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting.
She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior.
Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.
Mrs. Kamar Mahmoud serves as the Managing Editor of the English Division at Faharas website, where she plays a pivotal role in maintaining the site's editorial excellence. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, Kamar.M oversees the entire content lifecycle from writer assignments through to final publication. Her responsibilities include managing editorial workflows, providing guidance to writers, and ensuring that every article published meets Faharas website's rigorous standards of quality, accuracy, and clarity. Through her leadership, she helps maintain the site's reputation for delivering reliable and well-crafted content to its readership.
Added clear, descriptive, and informative headings
Introduced bulleted lists to break down complex information
Improved sentence and paragraph structure for readability
Updated timeline and release details with verified dates
Included internal testing and engineering challenges explicitly
Added details on Apple’s AI bake-off between on-device and Google Gemini models
Highlighted AI talent retention and leadership changes impact
Provided market context and competition overview
Added transparent notices about uncertainties and privacy concerns
Suggested future monitoring and reporting recommendations
Cited authoritative sources for all claims and data points
Maintained a neutral, credible, and user-focused tone
FAQ
ho are the key stakeholders influencing Siri’s new development besides Apple engineers?
Beyond Apple engineers, key stakeholders include third-party app developers who will leverage new Siri APIs for deeper app integrations, as well as privacy advocates ensuring the AI respects user data. These groups influence how Siri’s expanded capabilities are designed and delivered.
What challenges could arise from balancing on-device processing with cloud fallback in Siri’s AI architecture?
Balancing on-device AI with cloud fallback may introduce latency and synchronization complexities, while maintaining Apple’s strict privacy standards. Ensuring real-time responsiveness without compromising user data privacy is a critical technical and architectural challenge.
Where might Apple’s new Siri have the most significant impact beyond iPhones and iPads?
The redesigned Siri is expected to enhance smart home devices like HomePod, extend voice control on Apple Watch, and deepen integration in CarPlay, broadening its presence across Apple’s ecosystem of connected devices.
When might developers gain access to the new Siri capabilities, and how could this timing affect third-party app integration?
Developers are likely to receive access to new Siri developer APIs around WWDC 2026, ahead of the public launch in spring 2026. This timing allows developers to prepare and optimize their apps for Siri’s enhanced contextual and in-app capabilities.
Why is retaining AI talent crucial for Apple’s success with Siri, and what might happen if this trend continues?
Retaining AI experts is vital to ensure consistent innovation and meet high-quality standards. Continued talent loss risks delays and may hinder Apple’s ability to compete effectively with other advanced AI assistants.
Who are some of Apple’s main competitors influencing the technological direction of Siri?
Apple faces competitive pressure primarily from Google’s Gemini AI and generative assistants like ChatGPT, driving Siri’s deep AI redesign and ambitions to match or surpass their contextual understanding and capabilities.
What are the broader market implications if Apple delays the Siri upgrade further past spring 2026?
Further delays could erode user confidence, give competitors an edge, and slow Apple’s momentum in the AI assistant market, potentially affecting hardware appeal where voice assistant quality is a deciding factor.
