iOS 27 could finally make Siri as smart as ChatGPT

Siri is an assistant that’s mostly limited to the best iPhones and iPads, but it could soon have a major upgrade in iOS 27 to narrow the gap between existing AI powerhouses like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. At least, if the latest rumours are to be believed.

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According to the Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (via MacRumors), iOS 27 is set to introduce a standalone Siri app that looks, feels, and acts a lot more like the aforementioned AI competition

The shift could mark a major change in how we’ll interact with our iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Rather than Siri being a mere overlay, the new app – internally dubbed SiriBot – will reportedly support both voice and text modes properly, finally providing a searchable history of your past conversations in an iMessage-style interface with chat bubbles. If true, the move points to Apple moving away from the one-and-done nature of Siri, towards a more persistent, conversational AI experience that can actually remember what you said five minutes ago.

Perhaps the most surprising twist is what’s powering it. Apple has reportedly inked a deal to use Google’s Gemini models to handle the heavy lifting, as it doesn’t quite have the server muscle to manage billions of chatbot queries yet. This deeper integration means Siri is tipped to replace Spotlight as the primary on-device search tool, with the ability to summarise emails, edit photos, and even “see” what’s on your screen to take action in real-time.. 

One major rumoured Siri feature is called Extensions – internal builds of iOS 27 reportedly contain fine print describing a marketplace of sorts where third-party AI agents can plug directly into Siri. 

While we’ve seen Siri tap into ChatGPT, this new system would theoretically allow you to swap in various specialised AI services for different tasks, all managed through a dedicated section in the App Store.

The upgrades aren’t just under the hood, either. The entire Siri interface is reportedly getting a facelift, potentially integrating more deeply with the Dynamic Island. When you ask a question, a new “searching” label will appear in the Island while Siri processes the request, before expanding into a translucent panel with the results. There’s also talk of “Ask Siri” buttons appearing inside core apps and a “Write with Siri” option baked right into the iOS keyboard.

Overall, it sounds like a move to keep Siri relevant when most other AI chatbots feel more refined in comparison. 

Elsewhere, Gurman’s report also points to a new Apple Business app which could land as early as April for iOS 26, to streamline life for business users. This new app is set to replace the existing Business Essentials and Business Manager tools with a single, unified dashboard. 

It’s designed to let employees install work-approved apps, manage Managed Apple Accounts, and request IT support directly from their device. It also hooks into a new Apple Business platform that lets companies manage their brand presence across Maps and Wallet.

For most, though, it’s the upcoming Siri changes that will have the biggest impact. Assuming the rumours are true, of course…

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Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.