Apple plans to unveil Gemini-powered Siri in February

Apple is preparing to unveil a significantly updated version of Siri, expected to feature technology powered by Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence platform. The move would mark a major shift in how Apple positions its long-standing voice assistant, bringing it closer to the conversational capabilities of modern AI chatbots.

According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, the company plans to announce the new Siri in “the second half of February”, highlighting the results of its recently disclosed partnership with Google. The reveal is expected to include live demonstrations showing how Gemini enhances Siri’s capabilities, offering users a clearer picture of Apple’s next steps in artificial intelligence.

The planned announcement comes after months of anticipation following Apple’s initial promise of a next-generation Siri at its Worldwide Developers Conference in 2024. While that announcement set expectations for a more intelligent assistant, details have remained limited. The February reveal is now expected to provide the most concrete look yet at how Apple intends to modernise Siri in response to growing competition in the AI space.

Gemini integration signals a major shift for Siri

The reported integration of Google Gemini represents one of the most significant changes to Siri since its launch more than a decade ago. Bloomberg reports that the updated assistant will behave more like an AI chatbot, drawing comparisons with OpenAI’s ChatGPT in terms of conversational depth and contextual understanding.

This shift suggests Apple is moving beyond basic voice commands and scripted responses, aiming instead to deliver a more flexible and intelligent assistant capable of handling complex queries. By incorporating Gemini, Apple appears to be relying on Google’s advances in large language models to accelerate its own AI ambitions, rather than building all of the underlying technology in-house.

The collaboration also reflects the wider industry trend towards partnerships in artificial intelligence. As AI development becomes increasingly resource-intensive, even major technology firms are finding value in working together. For Apple, aligning Siri with Gemini could help close the perceived gap between its assistant and rival offerings from Google, Microsoft and OpenAI.

iOS 26.4 beta expected to introduce new Siri features

Following the February announcement, Gurman reports that the Gemini-powered Siri will be introduced to users through iOS 26.4. The update is expected to enter beta testing in February, shortly after the reveal, with a wider public release planned for March or early April.

This staged rollout suggests Apple intends to gather early feedback before making the new Siri broadly available. Beta testing will allow developers and early adopters to explore the assistant’s new features and identify potential issues ahead of a full release. It also aligns with Apple’s typical approach to gradually rolling out major software changes.

Apple has faced criticism in recent years for lagging behind competitors in artificial intelligence. The release of iOS 26.4 could therefore play a key role in reshaping perceptions of the company’s AI strategy. If the new Siri delivers on its promise of more natural and intelligent interactions, it could help restore confidence in Apple’s ability to innovate in this rapidly evolving field.

Bigger reveal planned for Apple’s developer conference

While the February announcement is expected to offer an early look at the new Siri, Bloomberg reports that Apple is planning a more comprehensive unveiling later in the year. Gurman said the company will stage a “grand reveal” of the assistant, currently codenamed Campos, at its annual developer conference in the summer.

That event is likely to provide deeper technical insights into how Gemini is integrated across Apple’s platforms, as well as guidance for developers looking to leverage the new capabilities. Apple is expected to position the updated Siri as a core part of its broader Apple Intelligence strategy, which aims to embed AI features more deeply into its devices and services.

Following the summer event, the latest version of Siri and its accompanying Gemini-powered features are expected to arrive with iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27. These operating systems are expected to be released as beta versions this summer, giving developers several months to adapt before a full public launch.

If the reports prove accurate, 2026 could mark a turning point for Siri. By combining Apple’s ecosystem with Google’s Gemini technology, the company appears to be betting that collaboration, rather than isolation, is the fastest route to delivering a truly modern AI assistant.