Apple’s New Voice Assistant on the Way: After months of rumors and partial reports, Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed for the first time that the new Siri will launch in 2026. According to him, development is progressing well, and the company plans to integrate it as part of iOS 26.4, which will be released next year. This confirms Cook’s statement that Apple does not intend to delay the launch, in contrast to previous Siri versions that experienced delays.
According to Cook, the next-generation Siri will be "more personal than ever" and will be able to adapt its behavior to the user’s habits, preferences, and personal speaking style. The assistant will rely on artificial intelligence models operating directly on the device, rather than cloud servers, ensuring maximum privacy and faster response times.
Cook also noted that Apple has already integrated dozens of new AI-based features this year under the "Apple Intelligence" initiative. Among the most notable innovations are: Live Translation, which allows real-time translation between languages; Visual Intelligence, a tool that analyzes images and visual data with a single click; and advanced writing and image tools that enable the creation of new texts and images at the touch of a button.
Cook also introduced Workout Buddy, a new feature in Apple Watches that analyzes the user’s fitness data and offers personalized insights and recommendations to improve workouts. According to him, this is "a perfect example of responsible and innovative use of artificial intelligence, empowering the user without compromising their privacy."
Alongside the excitement, Bloomberg reports have indicated that Apple already has concerns about the performance of the new Siri. According to the reports, internal testers of iOS 26.4 have noted slow response times and difficulties in understanding context during complex conversations. However, Apple expects these issues to be resolved by the official launch date.
For the first time since its launch over a decade ago, Siri is expected to undergo a deep transformation, bringing it closer to its competitors in the spoken AI space, including Google, Amazon, and even Microsoft. The new Siri is expected to offer more natural responses, broader contextual understanding, and flexible language capabilities that will allow it to converse almost like a real human.
Apple hopes that the new generation will restore Siri’s original status as one of the most iconic inventions associated with the brand, after it has been perceived as falling behind in recent years. If the company meets the timeline presented by Cook, the new Siri will be officially unveiled at Apple’s fall event in 2026, marking one of the company’s most significant launches in recent years.