The Evolution of Siri: From Virtual Assistant to Full Chatbot in iOS 27

Apple is gearing up for a major overhaul of Siri, with plans to introduce significant improvements in two phases. The first phase, set for Spring 2026 with iOS 26.4, will bring a contextual Siri utilizing Apple Foundation Model (AFM) 10, resulting in an 8x increase in intelligence. The second phase, scheduled for Fall 2026 with iOS 27, will introduce “Campos,” a full-fledged AI chatbot comparable to Gemini 3.0. This marks a shift for Apple from a voice-centric assistant to a text-and-voice chatbot integrated into core apps like Mail, Photos, and Xcode.

While Apple has partnered with OpenAI to enhance Siri using ChatGPT, it is clear that this was a temporary measure. Apple is now focused on developing its own advanced chatbot to compete with industry leaders like OpenAI and Google. The new chatbot, code-named Campos, is expected to replace Siri and be deeply integrated into Apple’s devices.

Apple’s goal is to deliver a more advanced and intelligent chatbot experience than what was promised at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference. The upcoming iOS 26.4 update will lay the groundwork for this evolution, with enhanced contextual awareness and improved web search capabilities. The ultimate goal is to unveil Campos at WWDC in June, potentially as part of iOS 27.

Apple’s partnership with Google is also set to expand, with plans to leverage Google’s powerful AI models for the new chatbot. While privacy considerations remain a concern, Apple is exploring hosting Campos on Google’s servers to maximize its capabilities. However, this arrangement may be temporary, as Apple aims to eventually transition back to its own AI infrastructure.

Overall, Apple’s plans for Siri indicate a significant evolution towards a more advanced and integrated chatbot experience, with the potential to revolutionize how users interact with their devices. For several years now, typing to Siri has been a possibility, with Apple enhancing this feature in iOS 18 through the launch of Apple Intelligence. However, the functionality is currently still evolving. Similar to ChatGPT and Google Gemini, Apple’s chatbot will enable users to search the web, create content, generate images, summarize information, and analyze uploaded files. Additionally, it will utilize personal data to assist in tasks such as locating specific files, songs, calendar events, and text messages.

Tech analyst Mark Gurman suggests that for Apple to entice iPhone users to switch from rival chatbots, a more robust interface may be necessary, potentially in the form of a standalone app. While Apple is reportedly testing a standalone Siri app, it is unlikely to be offered to customers, as the company prefers integrating the software seamlessly into existing systems, similar to how Siri functions today. This approach aligns with Apple’s past strategies, such as the introduction of HomeKit and iCloud Drive as background services before launching dedicated companion apps like Home and Files in later iOS versions. It is anticipated that the Siri “Campos” will have an open API for developers to access chatbot features, akin to the Apple Intelligence frameworks in iOS 26. However, the availability of Campos-powered chatbots on the App Store remains uncertain.