Apple Delays New AI Siri: Here’s Why It Still Isn’t Ready
Apple fans eagerly anticipating a smarter, AI-powered Siri were left disappointed at WWDC 2025. Despite major hype around “Apple Intelligence,” Apple confirmed that its first real attempt at an upgraded Siri simply wasn’t good enough to ship. Senior VP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi admitted the AI Siri failed to meet Apple’s strict reliability standards. This post explains why the delay happened, what Apple said, and what it means for users waiting on AI voice upgrades. AI Siri is coming—but not as soon as many hoped.
Why Apple Delayed Its AI Siri Upgrade
During an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Federighi explained that while the company showcased real software during the 2024 WWDC preview, the AI-powered Siri didn’t “converge in the way, quality-wise, that we needed it to.” Apple didn’t want to release a voice assistant with a high error rate or subpar performance. It wasn’t just about launching new features—it was about launching them right. The new Siri, designed to take actions across apps and understand personal context, still lacked the level of trust and polish Apple expects from its core products.
Apple’s Commitment to Quality Over Speed
Greg Joswiak, SVP of Worldwide Marketing, reinforced this sentiment, stating it would’ve been more disappointing to ship something that didn’t meet expectations. Apple is prioritizing long-term trust with its users over rushing a product out the door. “We made what we thought was the best decision. I’d make it again,” Joswiak said. The company acknowledged early successes with Siri’s AI abilities but concluded that they weren’t consistent or reliable enough. This aligns with Apple’s reputation for waiting until a feature is fully ready before releasing it to the public.
What This Means for Siri and AI at Apple
The delay is more than just a product setback—it’s a reflection of the broader challenge all tech giants face in integrating AI assistants that actually work in the real world. Federighi noted that “no one’s doing it really well right now,” suggesting that even with Apple’s vast resources, this level of on-device intelligence takes time. Still, the company remains committed to launching AI Siri in the future, with expectations now set for a broader rollout in 2026. The move underscores just how difficult true contextual AI is to perfect—especially when tied to user trust and privacy.
When Can We Expect the New Siri?
Although Apple initially teased a 2025 release, it’s now more likely that the AI Siri will officially debut in 2026. That timeline was subtly confirmed during interviews at WWDC 2025, including chats with YouTuber iJustine and outlets like Tom’s Guide. In the meantime, Apple is continuing to roll out other Apple Intelligence features across macOS and iOS, but Siri remains the crown jewel they’re not willing to compromise on. For now, users will have to wait a bit longer for the truly intelligent voice assistant Apple promised—but when it does arrive, Apple wants it to “just work.”