In a historic pivot for its AI strategy, Apple is set to unveil a revamped version of Siri powered by Google’s Gemini AI in February 2026.
The announcement, reportedly scheduled for the second half of the month, marks the first tangible result of the multi-billion dollar partnership between the two tech giants. This update aims to close the intelligence gap with rivals like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.
1. The February Reveal: What to Expect
According to recent reports from Bloomberg, Apple will hold a demonstration of the new Siri functionality in late February. This version is expected to debut in the iOS 26.4 beta shortly after the reveal.
- World Knowledge Answers: Siri will provide web-summarized responses with citations, mimicking the experience of Perplexity or ChatGPT.
- Personal Context: The assistant will finally tap into on-screen content and personal data (emails, messages, calendar) to fulfill complex requests.
- Deep App Integration: Users can perform in-app actions via voice, such as asking Siri to “edit this photo and send it to my mom” or “find my flight details from my last email.”
2. Technical Architecture: Apple Foundation Models v10
While Google is supplying the underlying “brain,” Apple is maintaining its hallmark focus on privacy through a hybrid processing model.
| Component | Details |
| Model Version | Internally known as Apple Foundation Models v10. |
| Complexity | Built on a custom Gemini model with 1.2 trillion parameters. |
| Infrastructure | Runs on Private Cloud Compute using Apple’s own high-end Mac silicon servers. |
| Privacy | Personal data is processed securely, ensuring Google does not have direct access to raw user information. |
3. The $1 Billion Partnership
The deal reflects a major shift in Apple’s “go-it-alone” philosophy.
- Cost of Entry: Apple is reportedly paying Google approximately $1 billion annually to license and customize Gemini models.
- Why Google? Apple initially explored deals with OpenAI and Anthropic, but Google offered more favorable terms and a foundational model that better integrated with Apple’s global infrastructure.
4. The 2026 Roadmap: From Siri to “Campos”
The February update is just the first phase of a two-step overhaul planned for this year.
- Phase 1 (February/March): The “Smarter Siri” with Gemini integration launches as part of iOS 26.4.
- Phase 2 (June/September): Apple is expected to unveil “Campos” at WWDC 2026. This will be a full-fledged AI chatbot that replaces the current Siri interface entirely. Codenamed “Apple Foundation Models v11,” it will reportedly be competitive with Gemini 3 and deeply embedded into iOS 27.
Conclusion: A Necessary Reset
By leveraging Google’s AI muscle, Apple is effectively “buying time” to stabilize its own internal AI development while delivering the features users have demanded since 2024. If the February demonstrations are successful, it could mark the most significant turning point for the iPhone’s user experience since the original Siri launch in 2011.
