Apple prepares major Siri overhaul for iOS 27, integrating Gemini AI and third-party models
Following delays and a $250 million settlement, Apple is reportedly restructuring the iPhone experience around a new Siri agent powered by Google’s Gemini, with potential access to ChatGPT and Claude.
Apple is reportedly preparing to reintroduce a significantly redesigned Siri interface for iOS 27, with a potential announcement scheduled for WWDC 2026. The overhaul follows nearly two years of development delays and a $250 million settlement. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has published early illustrations indicating that the update will restructure the iPhone interface to prioritise a Gemini-powered AI agent, marking a substantial shift in how users interact with the device’s core assistant.
Under the proposed design, Siri will operate within the Dynamic Island. While users can still wake the assistant via voice commands or the power button, a new interaction model involves swiping down from the top centre of the screen. This gesture opens a 'Search or Ask' interface that incorporates elements from iOS 26 Search, displaying Siri Suggestions and rich text cards that emerge from the Dynamic Island. Swiping further down transitions the view into a chatbot-style conversation within a dedicated Siri app.
The new standalone Siri app is designed to compete directly with third-party AI services. It supports text and voice conversations, photo and document uploads, and retains conversation history in a layout similar to standard chat applications. Reports indicate Apple is considering allowing users to access other AI models, including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, through this unified interface, potentially offering a dropdown menu to select the desired AI provider.
Functionality extends beyond simple queries, with Siri utilising web search, screen context, and personal data to execute complex tasks. For example, users can ask the assistant to check availability for appointments before scheduling events, allowing it to identify overlapping calendar entries. To accommodate Siri’s increased prominence, the Notification Centre will now be accessed by pulling down from the top left of the display.
Apple is also integrating AI capabilities more deeply into its media applications. The Camera app will feature a new mode replacing Visual Intelligence, enabling reverse image search via Google and allowing users to analyse photos using third-party AI agents. In the Photos app, new tools named 'Reframe' and 'Extend' will allow users to adjust image perspective and generate visual elements beyond the original frame using AI.
Gurman noted that Apple often tests multiple internal designs, and the final version introduced in June may differ from current reports. However, the new Siri features could be released to the public as early as September. This development follows Apple’s confirmation earlier this year that it would utilise Google’s Gemini models to power the next iteration of its virtual assistant.
