Apple Delays Siri Upgrade, Prioritizes Quality Over Speed

The tech giant is taking a measured approach to rolling out its next-generation AI assistant.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Apple's highly anticipated upgrade to its Siri virtual assistant has faced delays, but the company says it is prioritizing reliability and quality over speed. The new features, including deeper app integration and more personalized capabilities, were originally slated for release in 2026 but have been pushed back as Apple conducts extensive testing to ensure a smooth rollout.

Why it matters

Siri is a core part of Apple's ecosystem, and the company is taking a cautious approach to overhauling the AI assistant in order to maintain user trust and avoid the kind of missteps that have plagued some competitors' chatbots. The delay aligns with Apple's reputation for prioritizing user experience over rapid iteration.

The details

Apple first previewed the upgraded Siri at WWDC 2024, touting new features like on-screen awareness, personal context retrieval across apps, and hundreds of new actions powered by App Intents. However, the company later acknowledged that the advanced Siri capabilities would take longer than expected and would not arrive until 2026.

  • In March 2025, Apple said the Siri upgrade would roll out in 2026.
  • Apple originally targeted iOS 26.4 for the first wave of upgraded Siri features, but internal testing issues could push parts of the rollout to iOS 26.5 in May or even iOS 27 in September.

The players

Apple

The tech giant behind the iPhone, iPad, and other popular devices, as well as the Siri virtual assistant.

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What’s next

Apple is expected to provide more details on the Siri upgrade at its upcoming March 4 event in New York, though a full rollout may not happen until iOS 26.5 in May or iOS 27 in September.

The takeaway

Apple's cautious approach to upgrading Siri reflects the company's commitment to delivering a reliable and high-quality user experience, even if it means delaying the release of new features. This measured strategy sets Apple apart from competitors that have rushed out chatbot-powered assistants with mixed results.