By Apple Siri AI Delay: Major AI Upgrades Postponed Indefinitely
Apple has indefinitely delayed its much-anticipated AI-powered Siri upgrades, marking a significant setback for its artificial intelligence ambitions. Originally planned for release with iOS 18.4 in April 2025, the features have been postponed after executives, including software chief Craig Federighi, determined they didn’t work properly or as advertised.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s AI engineers have been working to fix critical bugs, but internal reports suggest the company may need to rebuild these features from scratch. With no confirmed timeline for release, industry insiders speculate that these Siri enhancements may not arrive until 2026 or later.
This unexpected delay is a major blow to Apple’s AI strategy, especially as competitors like Amazon and Google continue to advance in AI-driven voice assistants. Here’s a closer look at why Apple delayed Siri’s AI features, the impact on users, and what’s next for Apple Intelligence.
Apple Siri AI Delay: Why Did Apple Postpone Its AI Upgrades?
1. Siri’s AI Features Were Not Functioning Properly
Apple’s planned AI upgrades aimed to make Siri smarter, more conversational, and deeply integrated with user data. These features included:
✅ Advanced Personalization: Siri would access personal data like messages, calendar, and notes to provide better responses.
✅ App Control: Users could request more precise actions within apps.
✅ Conversational AI: A ChatGPT-like experience with more natural conversations.
However, reports suggest these features were buggy and unreliable, leading Apple to scrap the initial launch plans.
2. Internal Conflicts and Leadership Concerns
Apple employees within the AI division are questioning whether CEO Tim Cook or Apple’s board should intervene to restructure leadership.
🔹 Key Concerns from Insiders:
- Apple is falling behind competitors like Google and OpenAI in AI advancements.
- AI-powered Siri has not been improving as fast as expected.
- There are doubts about whether Apple’s AI leadership can effectively deliver on its promises.
With no concrete timeline for when the Siri AI enhancements will launch, speculation is growing about potential internal shake-ups at Apple.
Apple Siri AI Delay: Impact on iPhone Users and Developers
1. iPhone 16 Users Won’t Get the Promised AI Features
Apple has spent months marketing the iPhone 16 as “built for Apple Intelligence.” Many customers bought the device expecting advanced Siri features, but they won’t be arriving anytime soon.
🔹 What This Means for iPhone 16 Users:
❌ AI-driven Siri will not arrive with iOS 18.4
❌ No personalized AI assistance in 2025
❌ Potentially delayed AI improvements until iOS 20 in 2027
2. Developers May Need to Wait Longer for AI APIs
Apple had planned to release AI-powered developer tools, allowing apps to integrate with Siri’s advanced AI capabilities. With this delay, developers will have to wait longer to build AI-enhanced iOS apps.
How This Delay Affects Apple’s AI Strategy
Apple has been heavily promoting its AI ambitions, yet this delay signals deeper struggles in its artificial intelligence development.
1. Competitive Disadvantage Against Amazon and Google
Apple is now at risk of falling further behind competitors in the AI space.
📉 Amazon’s Alexa+ is launching soon, featuring advanced AI capabilities.
📉 Google Assistant continues to improve with deep Google Search integration.
📉 OpenAI’s ChatGPT is already widely adopted across various platforms.
Apple must act quickly to prevent Siri from becoming obsolete in an AI-driven world.
2. Apple Intelligence Roadmap May Be Pushed to 2027
Bloomberg reports that Apple’s larger AI ambitions for Siri, such as a truly conversational assistant, may not arrive until iOS 20 in 2027.
🔹 Apple’s AI Roadmap Adjustments:
❌ Original Plan: AI-powered Siri with iOS 18.4 (April 2025)
❌ Revised Plan: AI improvements may not arrive until iOS 20 (2027)
This delay puts Apple’s entire AI roadmap in question and raises doubts about its ability to lead in artificial intelligence.
Apple’s Response to the Siri AI Delay
Apple is aware that customers may be frustrated by this unexpected delay. In response, Apple has instructed its support teams to tell users that the Siri AI features will arrive “in the coming year.”
🔹 Apple’s Official Statement:
“We are working on ensuring that Siri’s AI capabilities meet our high standards before release.”
However, with no clear release date, it remains uncertain when or if these features will actually launch.
What’s Next for Siri and Apple’s AI Strategy?
Despite this setback, Apple is still investing heavily in AI, and we can expect future updates.
🔹 What Apple Needs to Do Next:
✅ Fix AI bugs and ensure Siri delivers a high-quality user experience.
✅ Accelerate AI research to compete with Google, Amazon, and OpenAI.
✅ Provide a new launch timeline to reassure iPhone users.
With AI becoming a core feature in modern smartphones, Apple cannot afford to delay AI-driven Siri features for too long.
Final Thoughts: Apple’s AI Future in Question
The Apple Siri AI delay is a major setback for Apple Intelligence, leaving iPhone users and developers waiting for features that may not arrive until 2026 or later.
🔹 Key Takeaways:
✔ Siri AI upgrades delayed indefinitely due to performance issues.
✔ Apple’s AI division faces internal challenges and leadership concerns.
✔ Users who bought the iPhone 16 for AI features may not see them anytime soon.
✔ Apple must accelerate its AI development to compete with rivals.
With Amazon and Google advancing rapidly in AI, Apple faces a crucial moment in shaping the future of Siri and its AI ecosystem.
