Apple to showcase Gemini-powered Siri next month, iOS 26.4 beta coming in February

Apple is preparing to showcase its long-awaited Siri overhaul powered by Google's Gemini AI models as early as next month, according to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The tech giant has reportedly selected Google's advanced language models to breathe new life into its virtual assistant, which has faced criticism for lagging behind competitors like Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa in recent years.

The upcoming demonstration, expected in the second half of February, will likely take the form of a special event or media briefing where Apple plans to reveal Siri's enhanced capabilities. This timing aligns with the company's broader AI strategy, which includes entering iOS 26.4 beta testing phase in February as well.

What's new with the Gemini-powered Siri?

According to Gurman's report, the revamped assistant will feature significant improvements in its ability to process personal data and understand on-screen content. This means Siri will be able to carry out more complex, context-aware actions based on what's currently displayed on your iPhone or iPad screen.

Internally, Apple is referring to the new AI model as "Apple Foundation Models version 10," though it will be powered by Google's Gemini technology. The model will run on Apple's own Private Cloud Compute servers, maintaining the company's commitment to privacy and security even as it embraces third-party AI technology.

Phased rollout approach

Apple appears to be taking a measured approach to its Siri transformation. The February event will showcase the initial improvements coming with iOS 26.4, but the company is saving its most ambitious changes for later. The fully-revamped, chatbot-style Siri experience won't arrive until WWDC 2026, where it's expected to be included in the iOS 27 update.

This phased approach makes strategic sense. By introducing incremental improvements through iOS 26.4, Apple can gather user feedback and refine the experience before the more dramatic chatbot-style overhaul arrives with iOS 27. It also gives the company time to optimize performance and ensure the new AI capabilities work seamlessly across Apple's ecosystem of devices.

The Google partnership

The decision to partner with Google for Siri's AI backbone represents a significant shift in Apple's strategy. While the company has traditionally preferred to develop its own technologies in-house, the rapid advancement of AI capabilities from companies like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic has forced even the most vertically integrated tech giants to consider partnerships.

Google's Gemini models are among the most capable AI systems available today, offering strong performance in natural language understanding, reasoning, and task completion. By leveraging this technology, Apple can quickly close the gap with competitors while maintaining its distinctive user experience and privacy standards.

What this means for users

For iPhone and iPad users, the Gemini-powered Siri promises a more capable and responsive virtual assistant. The ability to understand on-screen content means Siri could, for example, help you book a restaurant mentioned in a text message, add calendar events referenced in an email, or provide more relevant information based on what you're currently doing on your device.

The use of personal data to carry out actions suggests Siri will become more proactive and personalized, though Apple will need to carefully balance these capabilities with its strong stance on user privacy. The fact that the AI model runs on Apple's Private Cloud Compute servers is a positive sign that the company isn't compromising its privacy principles.

Looking ahead

While the February showcase will generate significant excitement, the real transformation of Siri is still on the horizon. The chatbot-style interface coming with iOS 27 could fundamentally change how users interact with their Apple devices, potentially making Siri a much more central part of the Apple ecosystem.

This evolution of Siri also has broader implications for the AI assistant market. As Apple catches up with and potentially surpasses competitors, we may see accelerated innovation across the industry, ultimately benefiting consumers with more capable and helpful virtual assistants.

The February event will be closely watched by tech enthusiasts and industry analysts alike, as it will provide the first concrete glimpse of how Apple plans to remain competitive in an increasingly AI-driven world. With iOS 26.4 beta testing beginning simultaneously, developers and early adopters will soon have the opportunity to experience these improvements firsthand.