If you’ve been following Apple’s push into AI, you’ve probably heard about the smarter, more personal Siri experience that was supposed to roll out this year. It promised to be Apple’s big leap forward—finally catching up to (or even surpassing) Alexa and Google Assistant with a deeply intelligent, ChatGPT-style upgrade. But now, that launch is officially on hold.
Apple recently confirmed that the new Siri won’t be arriving until “the coming year,” a noticeable shift from the expected iOS 18.4 release this April. So, what’s going on behind the scenes—and what does this delay mean for the broader smart home and AI assistant landscape?
Let’s break it down.
What Was Apple Planning With the New Siri?
Apple had set the stage for a major revamp of Siri with its upcoming AI-powered features. The updated Siri would:
- Deliver more personalized answers by tapping into users’ data (with privacy in mind).
- Understand context better, allowing for more natural conversations.
- Offer deeper integration with apps like Notes, Calendar, and Messages.
- Feature a new, glowing visual interface but only for iPhones compatible with Apple Intelligence.
This was supposed to land in the iOS 18.4 update in April 2025. However, Apple’s statement on March 7 confirmed that the release has been pushed to “the coming year.”
Why the Delay? Behind-the-Scenes Challenges
Apple hasn’t given an official reason for the delay—but industry reports offer some insight.
According to Bloomberg, engineers have been working overtime to squash bugs, and top Apple execs who’ve been privately testing the new Siri aren’t satisfied with how it’s performing.
Here’s what might be happening:
- Bug Issues: Multiple glitches are affecting performance and accuracy.
- Team Overhaul: Apple might be considering restructuring or replacing the AI team behind Siri.
- Starting Over? Some insiders believe Apple could even rebuild the tech from scratch if it doesn’t meet internal expectations.
While iOS 18 already introduced a few new features—like ChatGPT integration—most of Siri’s core technology remains the same. The update, as it stands, doesn’t offer the full AI-driven transformation users were promised.
How Does This Affect Apple’s Smart Home Plans?
One big casualty of the Siri delay is Apple’s rumored smart display, which was expected to serve as a central hub for the Apple smart home ecosystem. It would have:
- Run on tvOS.
- Supported native apps like Calendar, Notes, and Messages.
- Offered a visual and voice assistant combo, similar to Amazon’s Echo Show and Google Nest Hub.
Now that Siri’s upgrade is postponed, this smart display has also been delayed—if not shelved altogether. It doesn’t make much sense for Apple to release a product built around features that aren’t fully baked.
What Are Apple’s Competitors Doing in the Meantime?
Amazon: Pushing Forward with Alexa+ and Echo Show 21
Amazon is not standing still. It recently launched:
- Alexa+, a smarter, AI-enhanced version of Alexa, offering more human-like responses and better contextual understanding. It’s free for Prime members or available as a subscription.
- Echo Show 21, Amazon’s most advanced smart display yet, boasting a large HD screen, smart widgets, and integration with Alexa+.
These devices are already rolling out, putting Amazon in a strong position to dominate smart homes in 2025.
Google: Quiet Progress with Gemini
Google has also been integrating Gemini AI features into select Nest devices. While not as public or flashy as Amazon’s rollout, it shows Google is slowly but surely building out its own smarter assistant ecosystem.
What This Means for Consumers
If you’re considering building or upgrading your smart home, here’s what Apple’s delay means for you:
1. Longer Wait for Apple Intelligence
If you were hoping for a smarter Siri in 2025, you’ll need to wait a bit longer. Even the upcoming iPhone 17, expected later this year, might not include full Apple Intelligence features.
2. Time to Explore Other Ecosystems?
Amazon and Google are currently leading in smart home features and AI assistant performance. If you want the most advanced voice assistant now, Amazon’s Alexa+ is looking like a solid option.
3. Privacy Still a Priority
One thing to note—Apple’s approach is still the most privacy-focused. If that matters to you, the delay might be worth the wait.
What’s Next for Apple and Siri?
This delay isn’t just about missing a software deadline—it highlights the broader challenge of creating intelligent, reliable, and privacy-conscious AI assistants. For Apple to compete meaningfully in this space, it must deliver not just innovation, but a polished, user-friendly product that lives up to the hype.
In the meantime, we’ll be watching closely to see:
- Whether Apple revamps its AI team or changes direction.
- How the market reacts if the iPhone 17 ships without full AI support.
- Whether Apple Intelligence can eventually catch up to Alexa+ and Gemini.
Apple’s delay of the new Siri upgrade is a big moment not just for Apple fans, but for the entire smart home industry. As Amazon and Google move ahead with more capable assistants, Apple’s choice to hold back shows it’s not willing to release something that’s not ready.
Still, for users hoping for a next-gen Siri in 2025, it’s a frustrating wait.
What do you think? Will Apple bounce back stronger, or are Alexa and Google Assistant now too far ahead in the AI race?
Let us know in the comments!