Apple Pushes Back on Siri Delay Reports: “Still on Track for 2026 Launch”

Amid swirling rumors of yet another delay for Apple’s much-anticipated AI-powered Siri, the tech giant is pushing back hard, insisting the next-gen assistant is still slated for a 2026 release. This comes after weeks of speculation that Apple might push the launch to iOS 26.5 or even later, citing internal reliability issues and struggles with app integration.

The Siri Saga: From Promise to Prolonged Wait

Apple first unveiled its vision for a smarter Siri at WWDC 2024, pitching it as a cornerstone of its broader Apple Intelligence initiative. The plan was bold: a Siri that could understand context, take actions across apps, and deliver a genuinely conversational experience. But nearly two years later, the rollout has been anything but smooth.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman initially reported that Apple aimed to debut the new Siri with iOS 26.4 in spring 2025. That timeline gained credibility when Apple reportedly partnered with Google to use Gemini as the backbone for Siri’s AI capabilities. However, recent reports suggest that internal builds of iOS 26.4 are riddled with reliability issues, forcing Apple to reconsider its launch strategy.

Apple’s Official Stance: “Still on Track for 2026”

In a rare move, Apple directly addressed the rumors, telling CNBC’s Steve Kovach that the new Siri is “still on track to launch in 2026.” While the statement is technically accurate—2026 is still the year Apple promised—it’s also frustratingly vague. The company hasn’t clarified whether this means iOS 26.4, iOS 26.5, or even iOS 27.

Internal testing has reportedly revealed that the AI-powered Siri struggles with basic tasks, such as reliably responding to user queries and integrating with app intents. These are critical features, as they would allow Siri to control apps on the phone—a key selling point for the upgrade.

The Never-Ending Wait for Smarter Siri

The delays have left Apple fans and industry watchers wondering: when will the new Siri actually arrive? Some speculate that Apple might release a limited version of the assistant with iOS 26.5 in May, with full functionality rolling out later. Others believe Apple could bundle the complete Siri overhaul with iOS 27, making iOS 26.5 a relatively minor update.

This isn’t the first time Apple has faced setbacks with Siri. The virtual assistant has long been criticized for lagging behind competitors like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. The promise of an AI-powered Siri was meant to change that, but the delays have only deepened frustrations.

Apple Intelligence: Falling Behind the Competition

The Siri delays are just one part of a broader struggle for Apple Intelligence. Despite its ambitious goals, Apple’s AI ecosystem has failed to keep pace with rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. While competitors have rolled out advanced AI features at breakneck speed, Apple has been cautious, prioritizing polish over speed.

This approach has its merits—Apple is known for delivering polished, user-friendly products. But in the fast-moving world of AI, caution can feel like stagnation. As the company continues to refine Siri, competitors are pulling further ahead, leaving Apple to play catch-up.

What’s Next for Siri?

For now, all eyes are on Apple’s next move. Will the company stick to its 2026 timeline, or will further delays push the launch into 2027? And if Siri does arrive in 2026, will it be the game-changing assistant Apple promised, or just another incremental upgrade?

One thing is clear: the stakes are high. Siri is more than just a virtual assistant—it’s a key part of Apple’s ecosystem, and its success (or failure) could have ripple effects across the company’s product lineup. As Apple works to get Siri right, the tech world will be watching closely.

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