Just eleven days before WWDC 2026, comprehensive leaks published by Bloomberg have exposed Apple’s ambitious plans to completely overhaul its virtual assistant. The leaks show that Siri in iOS 27 is being remade to function and look much like ChatGPT.
The New Interface: Siri Steps Out of the Shadows
The upcoming update represents the most significant redesign of Siri since its debut in 2011. Instead of a simple voice overlay, Siri is transitioning into a standalone application featuring full conversation history, document and photo upload capabilities, and a persistent voice mode.
The assistant will now reside within the Dynamic Island, expanding with a glowing animation when triggered. Users can also access a new “Search or Ask” panel by swiping down from the top center of the screen, effectively replacing the traditional Spotlight search.
“Apple is finally acknowledging that the old voice-command paradigm is dead. Rebuilding Siri as a conversational hub is their play to regain dominance in the consumer AI race,” says an industry analyst.
The Business of AI: Licensing Deals and Legal Battles
Apple’s new AI strategy relies heavily on external partnerships rather than just its proprietary models. The financial and legal implications of this shift are massive:
- $1,000,000,000 — The estimated annual fee Apple pays Google to license Gemini as Siri’s core engine.
- $250,000,000 — The class-action settlement Apple recently agreed to pay over claims of marketing non-existent AI features.
Meanwhile, OpenAI is reportedly preparing a breach-of-contract claim against Apple. OpenAI argues that the original ChatGPT integration in iOS was buried so deep that users rarely discovered it, depriving the startup of expected subscription revenues. To address these concerns, iOS 27 introduces a multi-provider drop-down menu, allowing users to route queries directly to Gemini, ChatGPT, or Claude from the main interface.
Hardware Integration and the Post-Cook Era
The Siri redesign is closely tied to Apple’s future hardware roadmap. A new Siri-powered Camera mode will replace the Visual Intelligence button, allowing users to snap photos and send them directly to third-party AIs for analysis.
This camera integration is designed to prepare users for upcoming wearable tech, including camera-equipped AirPods slated for late 2026 and smart glasses targeted for 2027. Both devices will feed visual data directly to Siri.
The new software will debut in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple’s highly anticipated first foldable phone. This launch will mark the final milestone for Tim Cook, as John Ternus is set to take over as CEO on September 1.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When will iOS 27 and the new Siri be released?
Apple is expected to preview iOS 27 at WWDC in June 2026, with the public release scheduled for September 2026.
Which AI models will power the new Siri?
Siri’s primary backend will be powered by Google Gemini, but users can easily switch queries to ChatGPT or Claude via an on-screen menu.
Is Tim Cook stepping down?
Yes, Tim Cook will officially step down as CEO on September 1, with John Ternus taking the helm of the tech giant.
