Apple Intelligence powered Siri upgrades likely delayed, now expected in iOS 18.5

Apple’s plans to revamp Siri with Apple Intelligence appear to be taking longer than expected, with the anticipated AI-powered enhancements now likely shifting to iOS 18.5. Originally set to launch with iOS 18.4, the advanced Siri features seem to have been pushed back due to technical challenges and software instability, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This delay means users eager to experience a more contextual and intuitive Siri will have to wait a bit longer.

Apple has been developing a smarter version of Siri that can understand on-screen content, recall personal context, and execute more complex app commands. The update aims to make Siri more proactive, allowing it to pull details from Mail, Messages, Calendar, and other apps to provide tailored responses. While these capabilities were teased at WWDC 2024, they have yet to materialize in any iOS 18.4 beta releases, reinforcing speculation that Apple needs additional time to fine-tune them.

According to reports, Apple has been internally testing iOS 18.5 since early February, with an official release expected sometime in May. The upcoming beta cycle will likely offer the first glimpse of these AI-powered Siri enhancements, giving testers a chance to evaluate whether Apple’s long-promised upgrades truly measure up to expectations.

Apple Intelligence, the backbone of these improvements, will be exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, reflecting Apple’s focus on hardware-driven AI advancements. The company's approach underscores a broader industry shift toward on-device AI, but it also means that older iPhone users will miss out on Siri’s upcoming transformation.

While the delay may be frustrating for some, Apple seems determined to avoid another rushed AI rollout, instead taking a more measured approach to ensure Siri’s reinvention lives up to its promise. With iOS 18.5 now the expected launch window, Apple’s next challenge will be proving that its AI-powered assistant can compete with the likes of ChatGPT, Google Assistant, and other evolving voice assistants in the growing AI race.