Apple to Launch Gemini-Powered Siri in February, Full AI Chatbot Planned for WWDC 2026

Apple is preparing to deliver its most significant upgrade to Siri in over a decade, with a new version of the voice assistant powered by Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence expected to be unveiled as early as February. The move marks a major shift in Apple’s AI strategy and signals the company’s intent to close the gap with rivals that have surged ahead in generative AI capabilities.

Since the launch of Apple Intelligence, expectations have been high for a smarter, more capable Siri. While Apple had promised meaningful improvements, the assistant continued to lag behind AI-driven platforms such as ChatGPT and Gemini. Now, after months of internal restructuring and delays, Apple appears ready to roll out a practical and scalable solution.

1. Apple’s long push to reinvent Siri
Siri was first introduced in 2010 and quickly became a defining feature of the iPhone ecosystem. Over time, however, rapid advances in large language models left the assistant struggling to keep pace. Apple acknowledged these shortcomings at WWDC 2024, outlining plans for a next-generation Siri capable of understanding context, intent, and on-screen information. Those plans reportedly hit technical roadblocks, prompting Apple to rethink its reliance on in-house AI alone.

2. Why Apple chose Google’s Gemini
To strengthen its AI foundation, Apple has partnered with Google, integrating its Gemini models into Siri and other Apple Intelligence features. While Apple explored partnerships with multiple AI firms, Gemini emerged as the preferred option due to its rapid development, scalability, and favourable commercial terms. The Gemini models will initially run via Apple’s Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, aligning with Apple’s privacy-first positioning.

3. February launch with iOS 26.4
The Gemini-powered Siri is expected to be announced in the second half of February, alongside the iOS 26.4 update. This release will reportedly include live demonstrations showcasing Siri’s improved intelligence and responsiveness. Internally referred to as Apple Foundation Models version 10, the system is said to operate at around 1.2 trillion parameters, combining Apple’s software layer with Gemini’s AI capabilities behind the scenes.

4. What users can expect from the new Siri
The February update will not yet deliver a full chatbot experience, but it will introduce noticeable upgrades. Siri will better understand personal context, recognise on-screen content, summarise messages, extract information from emails, and carry out multi-step tasks across apps. Apple aims to make everyday interactions more fluid across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, reducing the need for repeated prompts.

5. Full AI chatbot arriving at WWDC 2026
The biggest leap is expected later in the year. Apple is widely tipped to unveil a fully conversational, chatbot-style Siri at WWDC 2026. Launching alongside iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, this version will support sustained back-and-forth conversations similar to ChatGPT. Powered by Apple Foundation Models version 11, it is expected to rival next-generation Gemini models in capability and performance.

Together, these updates represent Apple’s most ambitious attempt yet to redefine Siri. By blending its own ecosystem strengths with Gemini’s AI muscle, Apple is positioning Siri not just as a voice assistant, but as a central AI interface across its devices.