Apple launches Gemini-powered Siri alongside iOS 27

Apple ↗ 1.96% has officially confirmed that its rebuilt Siri assistant draws on Google Alphabet Inc. ↘ 0.31% Gemini technology, marking the most visible result of a multi-year AI partnership first struck in January 2026. The confirmation came during Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, where the company also unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable device, the iPhone Duo.cnbc+1

Gemini Powers a New Siri

The collaboration, first reported by Reuters in January as a deal that would see Apple use Gemini models for a revamped Siri and future AI features, has now reached its second and most ambitious phase. Apple's next-generation Foundation Models were developed alongside Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro, and they underpin what the company calls "Siri AI" — a conversational assistant capable of sustaining multi-turn dialogue, retaining context across exchanges, and executing complex multi-app tasks.etnownews+2

Siri AI can now run as a standalone app with searchable chat history, respond to on-screen content, and work across messages, email, and photos. Apple has stressed that all personal data processed through its Private Cloud Compute infrastructure remains inaccessible to Google. The new Siri launches in beta in English, with support for French, Japanese, and additional languages expected from October.freepressjournal+3

iOS 27 Arrives September 14

Apple confirmed that iOS 27 will roll out as a free over-the-air update on Monday, September 14, according to 9to5Mac and MacRumors. The update is compatible with iPhones dating back to the iPhone 11 series and iPhone SE second generation, though the most advanced Siri AI features require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.9to5mac+2

Beyond Siri, iOS 27 introduces Apple's Liquid Glass visual refresh, an iPhone Handoff feature that allows a single phone number to work across multiple iPhones, redesigned parental controls, and a revamped Phone app that surfaces relevant information from Mail.freepressjournal

A Broader AI Strategy

The Gemini partnership sits within a larger push by Apple to position the iPhone as what it calls an "intelligent personal hub". The A20 Pro chip inside the iPhone 18 Pro, built on a 2nm process, is designed to handle more AI workloads on-device, reducing reliance on cloud servers. Fox Business reported that Apple also announced new AI-generated photo detection tools and a DSLR-like variable aperture camera system in the Pro lineup.foxbusiness+1

Looking ahead, iOS 27 is expected to allow users to swap in third-party AI models from the App Store as Siri's underlying engine, opening the door beyond the Google partnership.kersai