Apple has given Siri a major makeover, aiming to catch up in the AI assistant race. The new Siri runs on Google’s Gemini model, a powerful AI system with 1.2 trillion parameters. This marks a big shift, as Siri is no longer Apple’s own AI but a custom version of Gemini running in Apple’s secure cloud.

The upgrade promises smarter, more context-aware help. Siri can now read what’s on your screen, understand app contexts like photos or messages, and perform multi-step tasks. For example, it can analyze your calendar, draft emails, or suggest actions based on what you’re doing. This is a move beyond simple voice commands toward a true AI companion.

Apple is also introducing a dedicated Siri app. This app acts as a chat hub where users can ask questions and track past conversations across devices. It supports third-party AI chatbots too, letting users pick the AI model they prefer, including ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude. This flexibility makes Apple’s AI platform more open and user-friendly.

Privacy remains a top priority. Siri’s AI processes most requests directly on your device or in Apple’s Private Cloud Compute, which means Apple doesn’t store your data. Users can choose to delete chat histories automatically, with options ranging from 30 days to forever. This approach aims to ease fears about data collection while delivering smarter AI.

A New Look and Smarter Integration

Visually, Siri is shedding its old glowing orb for a sleek, dark interface that slides in from the top of the screen. There’s a new “Search or Ask” panel that blends web search with AI summaries and visual results. This design makes Siri feel like part of your daily workflow instead of a separate, clunky tool.

The update also integrates AI deeply into iOS 27 and macOS 27. This means AI features will appear across native apps like Photos, with tools for object removal and style transfer. Siri can now handle complex, multi-step tasks across different apps, which could finally bring it on par with rivals like Google Assistant and ChatGPT.

Waiting for the AI Moment

Apple plans to launch the new Siri as a free update this fall for iPhone 15 Pro and newer models. Before that, a public beta will start next month. However, Apple might use a waitlist system to manage demand, similar to past AI rollouts. This could frustrate some users but helps avoid server overload.

This launch is also Tim Cook’s final WWDC keynote before John Ternus takes over as CEO in September. The pressure is on Apple to prove it can deliver an AI experience that finally works well. After years of delays and missed promises, this could be the moment Siri turns a corner.

Apple’s slow approach may actually work in its favor. While competitors like Google’s Gemini AI offer very proactive features, they sometimes feel intrusive. Apple’s focus on privacy and control might attract users who are wary of AI watching their every move. The company avoids the negative PR of large data center projects by running Gemini behind the scenes, keeping its own brand clear.

Still, the new Siri faces tough competition. Google’s Gemini assistant can already order Ubers and manage your calendar with ease. Siri needs to prove it can match or exceed those capabilities while staying true to Apple’s privacy values.

The rollout also opens new doors for developers. Apple Intelligence Extensions will let third-party AI tools plug into Siri’s ecosystem. This could spark a wave of new AI-powered apps on iOS, expanding how users interact with AI every day.

In short, Apple’s AI assistant is reinventing itself with more power, smarter context, and a strong privacy promise. Whether this will finally make Siri a leader in AI assistants remains to be seen. But for iPhone users, the wait for a truly helpful AI companion might soon be over.