Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed after last week’s record-breaking earnings report that the long-awaited smarter Siri experience is on track to launch next year, though he stopped short of giving a specific release date. Cook also revealed that Apple Intelligence will expand beyond its built-in ChatGPT integration to include additional AI models in the future.
Rumors have circulated since Apple introduced its AI platform that Google’s models could be part of the mix. Now, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has offered new insight into those plans, reporting that Apple is partnering with Google to incorporate a customized version of Gemini into Siri. If accurate—Gurman’s track record often is—this partnership could mark a major step toward Apple Intelligence supporting third-party AI models, complementing the redesigned Siri first previewed at WWDC 2024.
According to Gurman, Apple’s focus on revamping Siri will define much of its 2026 roadmap. “The road ahead won’t be easy,” he wrote, adding that Apple is “betting heavily on the new Siri,” which will draw on Google’s Gemini model to introduce features such as AI-powered web search.
The report indicates that the smarter Siri could debut as early as March or April next year, aligning with several new Apple hardware launches. These include Apple’s first smart display—expected in both speaker-based and wall-mounted forms—alongside the company’s first in-house security cameras. Apple also continues its push into mixed reality, moving “full steam ahead” on smart glasses that could be previewed before the end of 2025. All these devices are likely to benefit from the enhanced AI-driven capabilities of the new Siri.
Gemini’s Role in Apple Intelligence
While Gurman did not specify when Gemini will fully integrate into Apple Intelligence, his report suggests that day may not be far away. Apple is reportedly paying Google for the customized Gemini model that will power the next-generation Siri. Internal testing earlier this year included a “bake-off” between Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini; while Claude performed slightly better, Apple ultimately chose Gemini for financial and strategic reasons, given the companies’ long-standing multi-billion-dollar search partnership.
Neither Apple nor Google is expected to publicly acknowledge the deal. The Gemini-powered Siri, Gurman notes, will remain wrapped in Apple’s interface design and user experience standards, without deeper integration of Google products. Still, it seems likely that Google will eventually push for broader Gemini support within Apple Intelligence itself.
Even if Gemini’s inclusion in Apple Intelligence isn’t official yet, its arrival appears inevitable. Expanding to more AI partners would allow Apple to offer users greater flexibility while sidestepping potential regulatory concerns. Those considerations are already shaping Apple’s global AI rollout—particularly in China, where Apple Intelligence has been delayed due to local restrictions.
To comply with Chinese regulations, Apple is reportedly preparing to launch Apple Intelligence there in the spring with iOS 26.4, powered by a localized AI model developed with Alibaba. This version will debut alongside the new Siri, signaling that Apple’s AI platform is designed to support multiple regional partners. Although Gemini isn’t expected to launch in China, its integration elsewhere could strengthen Apple’s position as it builds an AI ecosystem that spans regions, products, and partners.
