Siri Might Not Get Apple Intelligence Update Until January 2025

What I’m talking about iPhone 16/16 Plus There’s been a general air of complaint surrounding the launch of the devices. Apple has made a big fuss about Apple Intelligence taking the reins for its walled garden ecosystem. But other than some useful features like writing tools and email summaries, there’s not much about the new iPhone that screams “AI!”

More Apple Intelligence features are on the way. The company has chosen a slow release, ensuring that what it releases works before it reaches devices. Over the weekend, Bloomberg reported PowerOn newsletter Details about the update schedule have been reported. iOS 18.1 is scheduled for the next launch. The currently available version is public betaIt’s been through four beta tests. It features a revamped Control Center and Type to Siri capabilities. It’s expected to launch sometime next month.

iOS 18.2 is set to be the big Apple Intelligence dump. This update includes Genmoji, ChatGPT integration, and the highly anticipated Image Playground, an AI feature similar to what’s in Apple’s rivals Google’s Gemini and Samsung’s Galaxy AI. It’s also the one that will prioritize notifications instead of summarizing them. iOS 18.2 is expected to be released in December, just before the holidays.

iOS 18.3 is a major update to Siri and Apple Intelligence. There’s not much information about what’s in this update, but it looks like it will unlock Siri’s full capabilities, including screen awareness and personal context. That version won’t see the light of day until at least January. That means devices will get Apple Intelligence features that scream “This is AI” three months after the iPhone 16 launches.

The most significant AI-powered iOS update is coming next year. That’s iOS 18.4, which will initially include all of the AI-powered Siri features. But with all of the fan frustration over the delay, Apple may shift gears to release it sooner, hence Bloomberg’s report on a January launch.

For now, Siri’s biggest AI infusion will come in October with iOS 18.1. You’ll see a screen around the edges of your iPhone light up to indicate the digital assistant is activated. It’s also more precise. Just saying “Siri” will activate the phone and start a conversation. And it’s more of a conversation rather than a step-by-step aloud input command. This version of Siri also addresses the “uh-huhs” and other bugs you might encounter when you’re queries out loud.

I can understand why it’s frustrating that Apple didn’t come up with Apple Intelligence, but as I said in my review, the company is smarter for spinning it in a way that makes it seem like the delays are due to ensuring quality. As an Android user who felt slighted every time I tried to use Gemini, iOS users should thank their lucky stars that Siri is still at the helm, taking questions and commands and doling out answers.