Apple’s Enhanced Siri Set for 2026 Release Amid Internal Delays
Apple has reaffirmed its commitment to launching a more advanced version of Siri in 2026, despite reports indicating internal delays. The tech giant has long promised significant upgrades to its virtual assistant, powered by Apple Intelligence, introducing new contextual and in-app capabilities. However, recent developments have raised questions about the exact timing of these enhancements.
The anticipated update was initially expected to debut with iOS 26.4 in the spring of 2026. Recent reports, however, suggest that Apple may not meet this internal milestone. Consequently, the new Siri features could be postponed to iOS 26.5 or even later updates associated with iOS 27. Publicly, Apple has only committed to a 2026 release window.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple’s internal rollout plan for Siri has experienced setbacks. He noted that the company originally aimed for an iOS 26.4 release, but the features may now appear in iOS 26.5 or later this year. This report triggered a notable market reaction, with Apple’s stock experiencing a decline.
In response, CNBC’s Steve Kovach stated that Apple confirmed to him its adherence to the 2026 launch timeline. The company did not directly address the internal delay claims but reiterated its commitment to delivering the promised Siri upgrade within the year.
Anticipated Siri Enhancements
Apple first showcased the next generation of Siri at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2024, highlighting three core upgrades:
– Onscreen Awareness: Enabling Siri to comprehend and interact with the content currently displayed on the user’s device.
– Personal Context: Allowing Siri to reference and utilize personal data, such as messages, files, and user habits, to provide more tailored responses.
– Deeper In-App Actions: Empowering Siri to perform more complex tasks within various applications, enhancing user productivity and convenience.
Additionally, Apple has been working on features like image generation and improved web search tools to further augment Siri’s capabilities.
Challenges and Testing
Despite these ambitious plans, internal testing has revealed several issues. Reports indicate that Siri sometimes fails to process queries correctly or responds too slowly. As a result, Apple may opt to release features in stages across multiple updates rather than delivering a single, comprehensive upgrade.
In March 2025, Robby Walker, a senior director overseeing Siri, addressed the company’s AI division, describing the delays as ugly and embarrassing. He revealed that the new technology only functions correctly between 66% and 80% of the time, a performance level deemed inadequate for public release. This setback underscores Apple’s ongoing challenges in the AI field, where it faces strong competition from other tech giants.
Market Impact and Investor Confidence
The delay reports and subsequent market reactions have put Apple under increased scrutiny from investors. Following the news of potential delays, Apple’s stock fell by approximately five percent. The company’s reaffirmation of the 2026 release aims to stabilize investor confidence, but questions about the exact timing and successful implementation of the new Siri features remain.
Looking Ahead
Apple plans to release the first beta of iOS 26.4 later this month. This update is expected to provide clearer insights into the progress of the new Siri features and their proximity to public rollout. As the company continues to refine and test these enhancements, users and investors alike are keenly awaiting the arrival of a more intelligent and capable Siri in 2026.
