A revamped Siri is on the way — but a surprising snag is slowing things down

Siri presenting 'Go ahead, I'm listening' in text on iPhone screen.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Apple's highly anticipated revamp of Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence, has faced a more protracted development cycle than initially hoped. First unveiled at WWDC in June 2024 alongside iOS 18, the enhanced Siri features, promising a deeper understanding of user context, onscreen awareness, and enhanced app integration, were initially slated for a later iOS 18 update.

However, as 2024 progressed, it became clear that the ambitious scope of Apple Intelligence required more refinement. Now, Apple plans to release its delayed Apple Intelligence Siri features this fall, according to a new report by The New York Times.

What we can expect

Apple Intelligence logo in iOS 18.1

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The core functionalities of this revamped Siri include:

Personal Context: Siri will learn from your emails, messages, files, photos, and more to provide more relevant and proactive assistance. Examples demonstrated include finding specific files or emails from contacts, recalling recommendations, and even accessing personal information like passport numbers.

Onscreen Awareness: Siri will be able to understand the content displayed on your screen, allowing for intuitive actions like adding an address from a text message to a contact or sending a currently viewed photo.

Deeper App Integration: Siri will handle more complex, cross-app tasks, such as moving files between applications, editing and sending photos directly via voice, getting directions and sharing ETAs with contacts, and sending draft emails.

An orchard of obstacles

Tim Cook speaking

(Image credit: Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

It's worth noting that the development journey hasn't been without its challenges.

Apple previously showcased these features extensively, even featuring them in marketing materials that were subsequently pulled back. This led to some user frustration and even legal action.

Apple has been transparent about the ongoing development, adding disclaimers to iPhone 16 product pages and the Apple Intelligence overview, stating that these Siri features "are in development and will be available with a future software update."

Tim Cook has emphasized that the company stresses privacy first. Apple’s AI philosophy revolves around a core principle: privacy as a fundamental human right.

Unlike competitors that leverage massive cloud-based datasets for AI processing, Apple prioritizes on-device machine learning wherever possible. This ensures that user data remains secure and is processed locally on devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Looking ahead to Fall '25

The Apple Intelligence features, including the enhanced Siri, are expected to be exclusive to newer iPhone models with the necessary processing power, specifically the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 16 series (released in fall 2024), and the upcoming iPhone 17 series, anticipated this fall.

While the exact release date within the fall timeframe is yet to be officially announced as of April 2025, the momentum suggests that iPhone users can look forward to a significantly more intelligent and integrated Siri experience with the arrival of iOS 19.

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Amanda Caswell
AI Editor

Amanda Caswell is an award-winning journalist, bestselling YA author, and one of today’s leading voices in AI and technology. A celebrated contributor to various news outlets, her sharp insights and relatable storytelling have earned her a loyal readership. Amanda’s work has been recognized with prestigious honors, including outstanding contribution to media.

Known for her ability to bring clarity to even the most complex topics, Amanda seamlessly blends innovation and creativity, inspiring readers to embrace the power of AI and emerging technologies. As a certified prompt engineer, she continues to push the boundaries of how humans and AI can work together.

Beyond her journalism career, Amanda is a long-distance runner and mom of three. She lives in New Jersey.

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