Siri "Transformation Plan" has been disrupted! Apple (AAPL.US) internal testing fails, "AI version of Siri" forced to be delivered in phases

Multiple accurate leaks revealing iPhone update details in advance, Apple product leaker Mark Gurman recently stated that Apple’s long-term plan for a major AI upgrade to Siri has encountered obstacles during recent testing. This could delay the release of several highly anticipated new AI features for fans. In other words, the significant AI features originally scheduled for inclusion in iOS 26.4 may be split into multiple releases—being rolled out gradually over subsequent versions, with some key features possibly delayed until iOS 26.5 or even iOS 27.

Gurman cited sources saying that these new AI features were initially planned for iOS 26.4—a system update slated for March. Apple is now working to distribute these features across future versions. This means some AI functionalities might be postponed until at least iOS 26.5 (expected in May) and iOS 27 (expected in September).

The latest testing delays are just a small part of Apple’s long and challenging AI journey. As early as June 2024, Apple announced a redesign of Siri into an “on-device AI superintelligence” with ambitious AI goals. That year, the company, which leads the global market with popular products like iPhone and iPad, demonstrated several capabilities allowing Siri to access personal data and screen content comprehensively, enabling it to efficiently and thoughtfully fulfill user requests.

Regarding the AI backbone, Siri will be powered by one of the world’s leading large AI models—Google’s exclusive Gemini AI model. In January, Alphabet’s Google confirmed a multi-year agreement with Apple to provide the core AI large model support for Apple’s on-device AI technology, including the upcoming AI-enhanced Siri.

This AI partnership is a significant win for both sides. Apple’s Siri is finally set for a breakthrough based on AI. During this period, Google’s parent company Alphabet’s market value surpassed $4 trillion for the first time, driven by the multi-year agreement with Apple, making it the second-largest company after NVIDIA ($4.5 trillion).

Strictly speaking, this collaboration on the “underlying on-device large model” is more like an “upgrade to the intelligence layer” of Siri/Apple Intelligence, connecting to a more powerful “brain.” According to a joint statement from Google and Apple, Apple’s next-generation Apple Foundation Models will be “based on Gemini’s exclusive AI large model and cloud computing technology,” used for new features like a more personalized Siri AI voice assistant, among other future exclusive AI functionalities. However, current Apple Intelligence AI features will remain available to users.

Integrating large AI models with PCs, smartphones, and other consumer electronics to create powerful on-device inference capabilities that can run offline, while also leveraging extensive cloud AI resources to meet deeper personal needs, has become a core part of many global consumer electronics companies’ AI development plans.

In the minds of Apple fans, with cloud and on-device AI models combined, Siri’s role may evolve from a clumsy, formal voice assistant to a more personalized AI companion—similar to the “all-powerful AI partner” depicted in the movie “HER.” Apple has stated that future updates to Siri will utilize user data to answer questions and perform tasks across various apps.

Repeated Delays! Upgraded Siri AI Super Voice Assistant Keeps Getting Pushed Back

The upgraded Siri will also allow users to precisely control Apple and third-party apps via voice. All these new features were originally scheduled to launch before early 2025.

Last spring, Apple delayed the launch, saying the new Siri would arrive in early 2026. However, the company never provided a more specific timeline. Gurman reports that internally, Apple management has targeted March 2026—aligned with iOS 26.4—and this goal remained unchanged until last month.

However, insiders say recent testing uncovered new software issues, leading to another delay. These sources requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions. They noted that Siri sometimes fails to correctly handle user queries or takes too long to respond.

The situation remains fluid, and the release plans for the new Siri may be further adjusted. A spokesperson for the Cupertino-based tech giant declined to comment.

After the news broke on Wednesday, Apple’s stock retraced some gains. By the close, the stock was up 0.67%, at $275.50; earlier, it rose as much as 2.4%. Driven by market risk sentiment and optimistic demand outlooks for iPhone, Apple’s stock outperformed the broader S&P 500 index.

Gurman said that in recent days, Apple has asked engineers to test the new Siri features using the upcoming iOS 26.5, implying that some features have been delayed by at least one version. The internal build of this update includes a note about new Siri enhancements.

One feature that could be significantly delayed is the expansion of Siri’s ability to access personal data. This technology would allow the AI super assistant to retrieve old messages, find a podcast shared by a friend, and play it immediately.

The internal version of iOS 26.5 also includes a toggle to enable a preview of this feature, indicating Apple is weighing whether to alert users that the initial release may be incomplete or unreliable—similar to its beta testing approach for new OS versions.

Other delayed features include the advanced command system for in-app voice control, known as app intents. This would let users give a single command to quickly find a photo, edit it, and send it to a contact—all in one go.

Some Apple employees testing iOS 26.5 report that these features have initial support but are not yet reliably operational in all cases.

Further, testers have reported accuracy issues and bugs, such as Siri interrupting users when they speak too quickly, and problems handling complex queries that require longer processing times.

Another challenge is that the new Siri sometimes reverts to simple integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT-based generative AI applications instead of using Apple’s own AI technology. This can happen even when Siri should be capable of handling the request.

By late 2025, internal builds of the new Siri are so slow that developers believe the release will have to be pushed back by several months.

Apple executives have long aimed to avoid delaying the AI assistant product announced in June 2024 until after spring 2026. Even in recent weeks, Apple still plans to release it this month or next.

Siri to Soon Use “Gemini AI” Base! Apple Teams Up with Google to Innovate On-Device AI

But this has been a very complex project. The redesigned Siri AI assistant is built on a new architecture codenamed Linwood. Its software will rely on Apple’s large language model platform—called Apple Foundations Models—which is currently integrating Google’s cutting-edge Gemini AI technology from Alphabet Inc.

Gurman states that the current iOS 26.5 beta also includes two important features not yet announced: a new web search tool and custom image generation. Apple previously tested these capabilities in iOS 26.4, suggesting some new Siri features may still arrive on an earlier schedule.

The web search function works similarly to Gemini in Perplexity or Google Search. It allows users to retrieve information from the web and receive AI-generated answers, summarized key points, and links to relevant sites.

The image generation feature uses the same super engine as Apple’s Image Playground app, but insiders say it remains unstable in iOS 26.5 testing.

Gurman reports that beyond these upgrades, Apple is developing a major new AI project for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27: a completely redesigned Siri that functions more like a futuristic chatbot. It will be supported by Google servers and a more advanced, customized Gemini AI large model.

Codenamed “Campo,” this project aims to deeply integrate AI into Apple’s major operating systems, providing interfaces and features aligned with user expectations of ChatGPT-style AI assistants. Apple is also testing this system via a standalone Siri app, allowing users to manage previous chatbot interactions.

A key part of the next-gen Siri interface will be cross-system control features and the ability to locate personal data (like files). Apple also plans to incorporate the new Siri engine into some of its core apps, including Mail, Calendar, and Safari.

CEO Tim Cook hinted at more changes during a company-wide meeting last week, mentioning ongoing development of new data center AI chips to boost AI capabilities.

“Apple Silicon is enabling us to build data center solutions tailored for our devices,” Cook said. “Looking ahead, the work we’re doing will make a whole new category of products and services possible.”

He is likely referring to Baltra, a long-standing project for developing high-performance chips for cloud AI workloads.

One reason for the extended development cycle of Apple’s personal data features may be the company’s strict privacy stance. During the same meeting, software chief Craig Federighi emphasized that personalized AI must not expose user data.

“We believe it’s extremely important that when a model receives your questions, your data remains private,” he said, adding, “The industry standard is to send data to servers where it’s recorded, exposed to the company, and used for training.”

Instead, Federighi said Apple is “leading the way” by building AI that stays on the device or is sent to private, privacy-protecting servers. He also mentioned that the company relies on authorized information and synthetic data—artificially generated data that simulates real-world inputs—instead of directly using user content.

“When you combine all these factors, we can offer a personalized and very powerful exclusive AI experience that increasingly integrates into our lives,” he stated. “I believe our approach will ultimately be adopted across the industry.”