iOS 26.4 Beta Launches Without Apple Intelligence Siri Features

iOS 26.4 Beta Drops—But Siri’s Big AI Makeover Is Still MIA

Apple’s latest developer and public beta for iOS 26.4 has arrived, and while the update brings a fresh coat of polish to the iPhone’s operating system, one major feature is still nowhere to be found: the long-awaited, AI-powered Siri overhaul.

For months, the tech world buzzed with rumors that iOS 26.4 would finally deliver on Apple’s promise of a smarter, more intuitive Siri—one that could actually understand context, remember past conversations, and interact fluidly across apps. But after years of delays, missed deadlines, and mounting anticipation, it turns out even iOS 26.4 won’t be the savior Siri fans have been waiting for.

The Hype, The Hope, The Disappointment

The saga of Apple’s next-gen Siri began at WWDC 2024, where the company first teased a major AI-driven upgrade under the banner of Apple Intelligence. Initially slated for iOS 18, the rollout was pushed back due to the complexity of upgrading Siri’s architecture to handle more sophisticated, personalized interactions.

By March 2025, Apple officially delayed the feature, citing development challenges. Then, in a twist that reignited hope, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple had internally targeted iOS 26.4 for the big Siri debut. The rumor mill went into overdrive, with many believing February 2026 would finally be the month.

But just as the first beta of iOS 26.4 dropped, Gurman clarified: Siri’s AI makeover wouldn’t be making an appearance this time either. According to his sources, Apple ran into more technical roadblocks—Siri was taking too long to respond, and some queries weren’t being processed correctly. The feature has now reportedly been pushed to either iOS 26.5 or iOS 27, with testing ongoing in the current beta cycle.

What’s Actually in iOS 26.4?

While Siri’s AI glow-up is absent, iOS 26.4 isn’t devoid of updates. The beta includes under-the-hood improvements, bug fixes, and refinements to existing Apple Intelligence features. But for those holding their breath for a Siri that can actually hold a conversation, manage complex tasks across apps, or remember your preferences like a true digital assistant, the wait continues.

The Bigger Picture: Apple’s AI Race

The delay of Siri’s AI features isn’t just a setback for Apple—it’s a glaring reminder of how far behind the company is in the AI race. Competitors like Google and OpenAI have already rolled out advanced voice assistants and chatbots that can handle nuanced requests, generate creative content, and even hold multi-turn conversations. Meanwhile, Siri’s evolution has been mired in technical challenges and overpromising.

Apple has confirmed that the new Siri will still arrive sometime in 2026, but the lack of a concrete timeline has left many questioning whether the company can deliver on its ambitious vision. With iOS 27 set to be previewed at WWDC in June 2026, all eyes are now on whether Apple can finally get Siri right—or if the delays will stretch even further.

The Verdict

iOS 26.4 is a solid update, but it’s hard not to feel a twinge of disappointment that Siri’s AI transformation remains just out of reach. For now, iPhone users will have to make do with the same old Siri—functional, but far from the game-changing assistant Apple promised.

As the tech world watches closely, one thing is clear: Apple’s AI ambitions are massive, but execution is everything. Whether iOS 26.5 or iOS 27 will finally deliver the Siri revolution remains to be seen. Until then, the countdown to a smarter Siri continues.

Tags: iOS 26.4, Siri AI, Apple Intelligence, iOS beta, Siri delay, Apple AI, iPhone update, Siri features, iOS 26.5, iOS 27, WWDC 2026, Mark Gurman, Siri upgrade, Apple Siri, AI assistant, iPhone Siri, Siri rumors, Apple delays, Siri architecture, Siri personalization

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