At its upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple is set to unveil a dramatically upgraded Siri, powered by Google's Gemini models, which will include a standalone chatbot app in iOS 27. This significant overhaul, alongside new Apple Intelligence features, marks a pivotal moment for the company's AI strategy, promising to transform user interactions from simple commands to complex, conversational engagements.

Apple has historically prided itself on end-to-end control and proprietary technology for its core offerings. However, its revamped Siri and Apple Intelligence will be powered by Google's Gemini models, representing a notable departure from this long-standing philosophy.

Therefore, Apple is prioritizing rapid AI advancement and user experience over strict proprietary development, signaling a new era of strategic partnerships for the tech giant. This shift aims for immediate competitive parity in the rapidly evolving conversational AI market.

What are the new features of Siri in 2026?

  • IOS 27 will include a standalone Siri chatbot app that will look similar to apps like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, according to 9to5Mac.
  • Siri may move beyond simple voice commands and become a true conversational AI assistant that maintains context across conversations, as reported by MacRumors.
  • Siri may gain support for file attachments and document uploads, allowing users to share files directly with the assistant for analysis or assistance, according to MacRumors.

This fundamental shift moves Siri beyond basic commands to a powerful, multi-modal conversational AI, capable of complex, context-aware interactions. The accelerated rollout prioritizes immediate functionality over slower internal development.

How will Apple Intelligence change iPhone in 2026?

Apple finalized a deal with Google to use Gemini models for Siri and Apple Intelligence, according to 9to5Mac. This strategic concession redefines Apple's approach to core technologies, trading proprietary development for rapid market relevance. Leveraging external expertise, Apple aims to quickly integrate advanced AI, positioning itself to compete directly in the advanced AI space.