Apple overhauled Siri for the first time in 15 years, integrated Google Gemini, valued at $1 billion per year, and introduced a completely new conversation interface in iOS 27.
Eleven days before WWDC 2026, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman published the first detailed look at a completely redesigned version of Siri, along with rendered illustrations based on internal sources. This is XEM the biggest overhaul to the voice assistant since its launch in 2011, reflecting increasing pressure from ChatGPT and Gemini to accelerate its AI roadmap.
New interface, new infrastructure, and the challenge of multi-vendor competition.
According to leaks, iOS 27 will feature a standalone Siri app with a XEM conversation history, deeply integrated into Dynamic Island, the pill-shaped notch that debuted with the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022. When activated, Dynamic Island expands with a glowing effect. A swipe down from the top middle of the screen will open a text and voice search panel, essentially replacing Spotlight.
The dedicated Siri app supports uploading documents and photos, a continuous voice mode, and a dropdown menu that allows users to direct queries to ChatGPT, Google Gemini , or Claude.
Notably, Siri's core functions will not run on Apple's own AI model. The company has signed a licensing agreement with Gemini for the platform at an estimated cost of around $1 billion per year.
This move further complicates the relationship with OpenAI, a partner that has integrated ChatGPT into iOS since 2024 but is reportedly preparing a breach of contract lawsuit, arguing that the feature is buried too deep for most users to find.
The multi-vendor menu in iOS 27 appears to be Apple's attempt to address this tension while avoiding a similar problem with subsequent partners.
The launch of the new Siri was not without its dark sides. Apple first introduced “Personalized Siri” at WWDC 2024, but spent 18 months explaining why it couldn’t be released, before officially delaying it until March 2025 citing quality concerns. A class-action lawsuit was subsequently filed, and earlier this month a federal court approved a $250 million settlement related to allegations that Apple marketed AI features that didn’t exist.
In addition to Siri, iOS 27 also integrates Siri into the Camera app as a dedicated shooting mode, allowing users to send photos directly to third-party AI for analysis without leaving the app.
Apple also added AI photo editing tools, natural language shortcuts, AI-powered wallpapers, and a system-wide grammar checker. The camera integration is XEM as preparation for a longer-term vision, with AirPods featuring cameras expected by the end of 2026 and smart glasses geared towards 2027.
The new Siri version is expected to launch in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple's first foldable iPhone, marking the last major product launch under CEO Tim Cook before John Ternus takes over on September 1st.
