Apple to Transform Siri Into ChatGPT-Style Chatbot for iOS 27
January 21, 2026 · by Fintool Agent
Apple+0.39% is preparing its most significant Siri overhaul since the voice assistant debuted 15 years ago. The iPhone maker plans to transform Siri into a full-fledged AI chatbot later this year, thrusting the $3.8 trillion company into direct competition with OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's+1.98% Gemini.
The chatbot—codenamed Campos—will be embedded deeply into iOS 27, iPadOS, and macOS, replacing the current Siri interface entirely when it ships in September. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports it will be the "primary new addition" to Apple's operating systems this year, with other updates focused mostly on stability.
Apple shares rose approximately 1% on the news Wednesday, closing at $247.65.
What the New Siri Will Do
The revamped Siri will allow users to interact via both text and voice—a chatbot-style experience similar to what ChatGPT and Gemini already offer. Key capabilities include:
- Web search and content creation – Search the internet, generate text, and create images
- Personal data integration – Search through songs, emails, calendar events, and messages
- File analysis – Upload and analyze documents
- Deep app integration – Control Mail, Music, Podcasts, TV, Photos, and Xcode with voice commands
- On-screen context – Analyze what's displayed on screen and take action
Users will summon the new Siri the same way they do now—by saying "Siri" or holding the side button—but the interface will be completely redesigned around a conversational chat experience.
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The new Siri will run on a custom Google Gemini model—part of the multi-year partnership both companies announced on January 12.
Internally, Apple calls this "Apple Foundation Models version 11," with capabilities comparable to Gemini 3. The model will run both on-device (via Apple Silicon) and in Apple's private cloud compute infrastructure, preserving the privacy architecture Apple has emphasized.
"After careful evaluation, we determined that Google's technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models," Apple said in a joint statement earlier this month.
The partnership is a significant win for Alphabet+1.98%, which also competes directly with Apple in smartphones. Google's stock has surged 73% year-to-date, vastly outperforming Apple's modest 1.6% gain.
Playing Catch-Up in AI
The announcement comes as Apple works to close the gap with AI leaders. CEO Tim Cook has acknowledged publicly that Siri improvements "need more time" to meet Apple's quality standards.
"With regard to the more personal Siri features we announced, we need more time to complete our work on these features so they meet our high-quality bar," Cook said on Apple's Q2 2025 earnings call. "We are making progress and we look forward to getting these features into customers' hands."
Apple has been investing significantly in AI. On the Q3 2025 call, Cook noted the company is "significantly growing our investments" and "reallocating a fair number of people to focus on AI features."
The company's "Apple Intelligence" suite, launched in 2024, received lukewarm reception compared to ChatGPT's explosive growth. While Apple has rolled out features like Writing Tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, and Visual Intelligence, the more ambitious personalized Siri capabilities were delayed into 2026.
Financial Context
Apple reported Q4 2025 revenue of $102.5 billion, up from $94.9 billion a year earlier. The company noted that iPhone sales were stronger in markets where Apple Intelligence was available.
| Metric | Q1 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q4 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue ($B) | $124.3 | $95.4 | $94.0 | $102.5 |
| Net Income ($B) | $36.3 | $24.8 | $23.4 | $27.5 |
| Gross Margin (%) | 46.9% | 47.1% | 46.5% | 47.2%* |
| EPS | $2.40 | $1.65 | $1.57 | $1.84* |
*Values retrieved from S&P Global
"We see AI as one of the most profound technologies of our lifetime," Cook said on the Q3 2025 call. "We are embedding it across our devices and platforms and across the company."
Ask Fintool AI AgentWhat to Watch
WWDC (June 2026): Apple is expected to unveil Campos and iOS 27 at its annual developer conference. The company has historically used WWDC to showcase major software initiatives, and this year's event will be critical for demonstrating whether Apple can match or exceed competitor chatbot capabilities.
September 2026 Release: The new Siri will ship with iOS 27, giving investors a clear catalyst date. Adoption metrics and user engagement will be key indicators of success.
Google Partnership Economics: While neither company disclosed financial terms, Bloomberg previously reported Apple was planning to pay about $1 billion annually for Google's AI technology. This cost structure bears watching as Apple scales its AI features.
Competitive Response: Microsoft-2.29% (via Copilot), Meta+1.46% (via Meta AI), and OpenAI continue to advance their own assistant capabilities. Apple's differentiation will depend on how well Campos integrates with its hardware ecosystem and privacy-first approach.
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