Apple's Next-Gen Siri Faces Major Delays, Pushing AI Upgrades to 2026

Apple’s big plans to revamp Siri with advanced AI features have hit a significant delay, with key enhancements now expected no earlier than 2026. The setbacks have been described internally as "ugly and embarrassing," as Apple struggles to perfect its next-generation voice assistant.

What Went Wrong?

Robby Walker, the senior director overseeing Siri, recently addressed the team in an all-hands meeting, acknowledging frustration over the delay. Originally, Apple aimed to roll out a more personalized and capable Siri this spring, giving users smarter control over apps and deeper integration with their data. However, persistent bugs and technical challenges forced Apple to push the launch to iOS 19 in 2026.

One of the biggest problems? The AI-powered Siri only functions correctly about 70-80% of the time, which falls short of Apple’s high standards. Walker stressed that Apple won’t release an unfinished product just to keep up with the competition.

Marketing Missteps and Team Frustration

The delay has been especially tough on Apple’s Siri team, with Walker acknowledging feelings of anger, disappointment, and burnout among engineers. Part of the frustration comes from Apple promoting the new Siri too early. It was showcased at WWDC in June 2024, even though the prototype barely worked at the time. Marketing efforts, including commercials, only heightened expectations, making the delay even more noticeable.

What Happens Now?

For now, Apple is focusing on smaller Siri improvements in iOS 18, such as Type-to-Siri and better product knowledge. While these updates bring incremental improvements, the bigger AI overhaul remains on hold.

Apple’s AI leadership, including John Giannandrea and Craig Federighi, is under increasing pressure to get the project back on track. Veteran Apple executive Kim Vorrath has been brought in to help stabilize the effort, but there’s no clear timeline for when the fully upgraded Siri will be ready.

When Can Users Expect a Smarter Siri?

The delay means that the iPhone 16 lineup will launch without major Siri AI upgrades, and even iOS 19 in 2025 might not see the full rollout. Walker made it clear that even 2026 isn’t a guaranteed launch date, saying, "It doesn’t mean we’re shipping then."

For Apple users eager for a more powerful and intuitive Siri, the wait continues. Walker assured the team that the features will ship as soon as they are ready—but for now, patience is required.