Apple’s highly anticipated upgrade to its virtual assistant Siri could face delays due to ongoing software bugs and engineering issues, according to recent reports. Initially expected to roll out in April 2025, the AI-powered version of Siri might now be pushed back until May or later.
This delay is particularly notable, as the upgrade was part of Apple’s broader AI initiative, which began to roll out in October 2024. Here’s a closer look at the expected features of the new Siri and why the update might be delayed.
Siri’s AI Upgrade and Expected Features
Siri’s upgrade was first announced in June 2024, when Apple revealed plans to enhance the virtual assistant with artificial intelligence features. The new version of Siri is set to include several major improvements aimed at making the assistant more powerful and responsive than ever before.
First, Siri will be able to offer more personalized responses by using data from a user’s interactions. This will allow Siri to tailor its answers and provide a more customized experience. Second, the upgraded Siri will have the ability to complete complex tasks within apps, which is expected to improve its functionality.
For example, Siri might be able to not only send messages or play music but also help with more advanced tasks like scheduling meetings or even managing multiple apps simultaneously.
Additionally, Siri will gain the ability to “see” the user’s device, which will allow it to answer questions based on device-specific information. This could include things like checking battery levels or finding nearby files. Lastly, Siri is expected to become more adept at understanding natural language, allowing users to engage in more fluid conversations with the assistant.
These upgrades aim to significantly improve Siri’s capabilities, addressing the fact that the virtual assistant has often been seen as lagging behind competitors like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. However, according to reports, Apple is currently facing challenges in making these features work consistently, which has caused delays in the rollout.
Delayed Release and What’s Causing the Issues
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple originally planned to integrate the AI-powered Siri with the iOS 18.4 update, scheduled for release in April 2025. However, due to unresolved software bugs and issues with the consistency of the AI features, the full release might be delayed until the iOS 18.5 update, which is expected to ship in May 2025.
The company could choose to release the upgraded Siri with some features disabled in the iOS 18.4 update, but this would likely mean that users wouldn’t experience the full potential of the new assistant right away.
The delay is a significant setback for Apple, as the tech giant has been positioning this Siri upgrade as part of its broader push into AI, aligning it with the Apple Intelligence features that have been rolled out across other devices in the company’s ecosystem.
Siri’s Inconsistent Performance and Bugs
The issues plaguing Siri’s AI upgrade appear to be related to inconsistent performance during internal testing. Reportedly, several of the new AI features don’t work reliably, which is problematic for a virtual assistant that users rely on for a smooth and seamless experience.
Additionally, various bugs have added to the complications, and these are causing significant delays in Apple’s development timeline. While the company is reportedly working hard to resolve these issues, meeting the original April deadline for iOS 18.4 may be too tight.
Despite these setbacks, Apple is pushing forward with its plans for an enhanced Siri. Employees at Apple are said to be working overtime to fix the issues and ensure that the AI features are stable enough for a public release.
As the iOS 18.4 developer beta is expected to roll out soon, it’s clear that the company is under pressure to deliver, though it seems increasingly likely that the full set of features won’t be ready in time.
Apple’s AI Ambitions and Siri’s Role
This delay underscores the complexity of integrating advanced AI features into Siri. Apple’s ambitions for Siri go beyond simple voice commands and into a realm where the assistant can handle complex tasks, respond intelligently to user requests, and even adapt to the user’s preferences. With AI playing an increasingly important role across Apple’s ecosystem, this upgrade is essential for Siri to remain competitive.
Although the delay is disappointing for many, the expected features of Siri’s AI upgrade promise a more powerful and versatile virtual assistant. When the new version of Siri finally arrives, it is expected to significantly elevate the user experience, providing smarter, more responsive interactions. Apple’s work on AI is a long-term commitment, and while there may be bumps along the way, the final product promises to be a substantial leap forward.
Conclusion
The anticipated release of the AI-powered Siri upgrade has been delayed due to software bugs and consistency issues, pushing its launch to May or later. While this delay is frustrating for users who were hoping to see the enhanced virtual assistant in action, the upgrade will likely provide significant improvements to Siri’s capabilities when it finally arrives.
Whether it’s through personalized responses, advanced app control, or a more natural conversational style, the new Siri will offer a smarter and more useful experience.
As Apple works to resolve the technical challenges, users can look forward to the future rollout of Siri’s AI features—just a little later than originally expected. Keep an eye on the upcoming iOS updates, as they could bring some exciting new changes to Siri soon.
