Apple engineers are reportedly not be happy with the new Siri

Apple engineers testing an early version of iOS 26.4 have raised concerns about the performance of the long-awaited Siri overhaul, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter.

The update, expected to launch in spring 2026, will introduce a revamped AI-powered voice assistant, but internal feedback suggests the technology may not be ready for its public debut.Gurman reported that testers are uneasy about Siri's performance in the iOS 26.4 builds, though specific details about the shortcomings remain unclear. The update was originally planned for iOS 18.4 last year before Apple delayed it, giving the company additional months to refine the technology.

Talent exodus complicating Apple’s AI challenges further

The technical concerns arrive amid broader turmoil within Apple's AI division, which has experienced significant departures including Ke Yang, who led the company's Answers, Knowledge and Information team. Yang departed for Meta just weeks after assuming the role following his predecessor Robby Walker's exit.The Apple Foundation Models team has lost its leader and approximately a dozen key researchers, while questions persist about AI chief John Giannandrea's future at the company.

Giannandrea's responsibilities have gradually decreased, with Siri moving to the software group and robotics shifting to hardware.

When Apple previewed the new Siri at WWDC 2024, the company promised three main capabilities: on-screen awareness, personal context, and in-app controls. During a post-WWDC interview, software chief Craig Federighi stated the team needed time to rearchitect Siri.Apple reportedly has two teams pursuing different approaches—one using on-device models and another using Google Gemini on Private Cloud Compute. With iOS 26.4 likely arriving in March or April, Apple has approximately five to six months to address the performance issues before the public release.The development raises questions about whether Apple can deliver a competitive AI assistant after multiple delays and internal restructuring.