Apple fans and AI watchers, get ready, this could be the moment Siri finally catches up. According to a fresh Bloomberg report from Mark Gurman, Apple plans to unveil a revamped, Gemini-powered Siri in the second half of February 2026. This update marks the first real delivery on the ambitious Apple Intelligence features Apple teased back at WWDC in June 2024.
Why this news hits hard right now: After months of delays, internal shake-ups, and questions about Apple’s AI strategy, the company is leaning on Google’s Gemini models to supercharge Siri with on-screen awareness, personal data access, and task completion that rivals what ChatGPT and Gemini already offer. For iPhone users tired of Siri’s old limitations, this could transform the assistant from basic voice commands into a truly helpful, context-aware companion. It also signals a deepening Apple-Google partnership that could reshape the AI assistant landscape in 2026.
If you live in the Apple ecosystem or follow frontier AI trends, this is a major pivot. Let’s break down what we know about the update, the timeline, the tech behind it, and what it means for competition and your daily iPhone experience.
The Core Upgrade: What Gemini Brings to Siri
The February reveal focuses on a more capable Siri that can:
- Access and understand on-screen content (e.g., pulling info from apps, messages, or web pages you’re viewing)
- Use your personal data (with privacy controls) to complete multi-step tasks
- Handle requests that require deeper context, like summarizing emails while referencing calendar events or photos
This is powered by Google’s Gemini AI models, marking Apple’s first major reliance on an external foundation model for core features. Earlier Apple Intelligence rollouts (starting in 2024) leaned on Apple’s own on-device models plus OpenAI’s ChatGPT for optional boosts. Now Gemini steps in as the backbone for Siri’s next level.
A more advanced, conversational version, potentially running on Google’s cloud infrastructure, is slated for full showcase at WWDC in June 2026. That one could feel closer to a ChatGPT-style chatbot, with natural back-and-forth dialogue.
Timeline Breakdown: What to Expect and When
- Announcement: Second half of February 2026 (likely mid-to-late month)
- Beta Access: Developers get early hands-on via iOS 26.4 beta starting next month (February)
- Public Release: Expected in March or April 2026 as part of iOS 26.4 stable rollout
- Full Overhaul: Bigger conversational Siri reveal at WWDC June 2026, possibly tied to iOS 27
This staged approach lets Apple test, gather feedback, and refine before wide release. It also buys time to polish privacy safeguards and on-device/off-device balance.
Apple’s AI Reset and the Google Partnership
Apple’s path to this point has been bumpy. In 2024-2025, Siri upgrades lagged behind competitors despite big promises. Internal reports highlighted struggles with Apple’s in-house models, leading to leadership changes (including the departure of longtime AI chief John Giannandrea) and a strategic pivot.
Craig Federighi effectively took greater control of AI efforts, and the company struck a partnership with Google to leverage Gemini. This deal, quietly announced recently, gives Apple access to proven multimodal reasoning without building everything from scratch.
Gurman notes earlier skepticism: Apple exec Mike Rockwell once dismissed a Gurman report as “bulls–t” over the summer. But the partnership and management shifts have redirected focus, delivering this Gemini integration as the first tangible win.
Siri vs. Gemini, ChatGPT, and Copilot
This move puts Siri in direct competition with:
- Google’s own Gemini assistant (already deeply integrated in Android and Pixel devices)
- OpenAI’s ChatGPT (which Apple already taps optionally)
- Microsoft’s Copilot (gaining traction in Windows and Office)
By using Gemini, Apple avoids reinventing the wheel on advanced reasoning while keeping control over user experience, privacy, and on-device processing. It also strengthens ties with Google amid ongoing antitrust scrutiny—ironic, given Apple’s history of pushing back on Google dominance in search and mobile.
For users, the upside is a smarter Siri that closes the gap. The risk? Dependency on Google’s models could introduce new privacy or performance variables.
Broader Implications for Apple, AI, and the Industry in 2026
This update reinforces several 2026 trends:
- Partnerships over isolation: Big tech increasingly collaborates on foundation models rather than going solo.
- Hybrid AI strategies: Combining on-device speed/privacy with cloud power for complex tasks.
- Assistant convergence: Siri, Gemini, ChatGPT, and Copilot all evolve toward multimodal, context-aware agents.
- Pressure on Apple: With iPhone sales steady but AI as the new battleground, a compelling Siri upgrade is crucial to justify premium pricing and ecosystem lock-in.
If successful, this could reignite excitement around Apple Intelligence and position Siri as a daily powerhouse again. If it underwhelms, questions about Apple’s AI leadership will only grow louder.
Key Takeaway: February 2026 Could Mark Siri’s Comeback
Apple’s Gemini-powered Siri unveil in late February is more than a software update—it’s Apple’s answer to the AI assistant arms race. By finally delivering on 2024 promises with Google’s help, the company aims to make Siri smarter, more useful, and truly competitive. Expect betas soon and a polished rollout by spring.