Apple Intelligence 2026: New Siri AI, Gemini Models and Features
Updated: Jul 26
Apple has unveiled the next generation of Apple Intelligence, expanding artificial intelligence across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Vision Pro with a new Siri AI, smarter Safari tools, advanced photo editing, photorealistic Image Playground and deeper automation. The new architecture also incorporates Apple Foundation Models developed in collaboration with Google and its Gemini models.
Apple Intelligence 2026
Apple is significantly expanding Apple Intelligence, introducing a new generation of artificial intelligence features designed to work more deeply across its devices, applications and operating systems.
Announced on June 8, the latest Apple Intelligence architecture introduces an entirely new Siri AI, major upgrades to Photos and Safari, photorealistic image generation, contextual features for Messages and Mail, AI-powered Shortcuts, smarter Home capabilities and expanded accessibility tools.
Underpinning these capabilities is also a notable technology partnership: Apple says its next-generation Foundation Models were custom-built in collaboration with Google and its Gemini models.
The new Apple Intelligence features are available for developer testing, with broader availability planned alongside Apple's next-generation operating systems.
The Apple Intelligence 2026 update marks a major expansion of Apple’s AI strategy, bringing a more capable Siri AI, smarter Safari tools, advanced photo editing, photorealistic image generation and deeper intelligence across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro.
New Siri AI Becomes More Personal and Conversational
One of the biggest changes is Siri AI, which Apple describes as an entirely new version of its digital assistant.
The redesigned Siri is intended to be more personal, conversational and capable of understanding information spread across a user's Apple ecosystem.
According to Apple, Siri AI can help users search information contained in their messages, emails and photos, answer questions across a wide range of topics and perform actions within apps.
Apple is also introducing a dedicated Siri app alongside writing and Visual Intelligence tools integrated across its platforms.
The new Siri AI features are currently available for developer testing and are scheduled to reach users as a beta later in 2026.
Apple Foundation Models Tap Google Gemini
A major development behind the new Apple Intelligence architecture is Apple's collaboration with Google.
Apple says the latest generation of its Foundation Models was custom-built in collaboration with Google and its Gemini models for deeply integrated Apple Intelligence experiences.
The models operate both on Apple devices and through servers using the company's Private Cloud Compute infrastructure.
The approach allows Apple to combine more powerful cloud-based AI capabilities with its long-standing emphasis on privacy.
Apple says that when Private Cloud Compute processes a request, personal data is neither stored nor made accessible to Apple or other parties.
Photos Gets Spatial Reframing and More Powerful AI Editing
Apple Intelligence is also bringing substantially expanded generative AI capabilities to the Photos app.
A new feature called Spatial Reframing allows users to change the composition and perspective of a photograph after it has been captured.
Users can touch and drag an image to preview how its perspective changes, effectively creating the impression that the original camera position has shifted.
Apple says new content is generated only in areas affected by the changed perspective, helping preserve consistency with the original photograph.
Another tool, Extend, can expand the boundaries of an image. This could allow users to straighten a photograph without losing important elements through cropping or change its aspect ratio while AI generates appropriate content for newly created areas.
The existing Clean Up feature is also being upgraded to provide more realistic removal of unwanted objects and distractions.
Apple says photographs modified using these Apple Intelligence tools will contain a hidden SynthID watermark identifying them as AI-edited.
Image Playground Adds Photorealistic AI Images
Apple is also substantially upgrading Image Playground.
The application can now generate photorealistic imagery using a new generative model operating through Private Cloud Compute.
Users can describe the image they want to create or modify an existing generated image by tapping, circling or brushing an object and describing the required changes.
Generated images can also be used in additional areas of Apple's ecosystem, including Lock Screen wallpapers and Contact Posters.
Users will be able to select different aspect ratios depending on whether they need landscape, portrait or other image formats.
Apple says AI-generated images created through Image Playground will also contain a hidden SynthID watermark.
Safari Can Monitor Price Drops and Organise Tabs
Safari is receiving several particularly practical Apple Intelligence features.
The browser can automatically organise multiple open tabs into relevant topics.
For example, tabs related to hotels, transportation and destinations while planning a holiday could automatically be grouped as part of the same travel topic.
A new Notify Me capability goes further by allowing Safari to monitor a webpage for specified changes.
A user could, for example, ask Safari to monitor a product page for a price reduction or product restock. If the requested change is detected, Safari can send a notification.
This effectively gives Safari an AI-assisted webpage monitoring capability built directly into the browser.
Safari Can Create Extensions From a Description
Apple is also introducing Describe an Extension.
Instead of manually developing or searching for a particular Safari extension, users can describe what they want Safari to do.
Safari can then generate a custom extension directly in the browser toolbar.
Apple gives the example of creating a button that allows a user to save and rate recipes they have tried.
The feature illustrates Apple's broader strategy of moving generative AI beyond text generation towards tools capable of creating functional workflows based on natural-language instructions.
Passwords Can Automatically Fix Weak Passwords
Apple Intelligence is also being integrated into the Passwords app.
Building on Apple's existing ability to warn users about weak or compromised credentials, Passwords can now automatically help update eligible accounts with stronger passwords.
Apple says the system uses Apple Intelligence and Safari to securely navigate websites, sign into accounts and upgrade passwords on the user's behalf.
The capability represents another example of AI being used to perform an action rather than simply provide information.
Messages and Mail Get Context-Aware Suggestions
Apple is also expanding AI assistance across Messages and Mail.
Messages can provide one-tap suggestions based on the context of a conversation.
For example, if someone asks a user to send photographs, Apple Intelligence can help locate relevant images by recognising people, locations and keywords in the user's photo library.
Smart Reply in Messages and Mail can also take the user's personalised writing style into account.
Mail suggestions are becoming more capable as well, including the ability to work with third-party applications.
Call Context Can Surface Information During Business Calls
A new Call Context feature can automatically surface relevant information when a user calls a business.
For example, when calling an airline about a booking, the Phone app could locate the relevant confirmation number from Mail and display it during the call.
Apple says Call Context determines who the user is calling rather than analysing what is being said during the conversation.
The processing takes place on the device, according to the company.
Calendar Events Can Be Created Using Natural Language
Apple Intelligence is also simplifying Calendar.
Users can create or modify calendar events simply by describing what they want.
As information is entered, Calendar can identify contacts and locations and automatically generate an appropriate event title.
The feature is part of Apple's wider effort to allow users to interact with everyday applications using natural-language instructions rather than navigating multiple menus and settings.
Describe a Shortcut Makes Automation Easier
Shortcuts is another application receiving deeper AI integration.
With Describe a Shortcut, users can explain the automation they want to create and Apple Intelligence can assemble the necessary steps.
Users can subsequently describe changes if they want to modify the automation.
Apple says this could be used for tasks such as automatically setting an alarm according to the first Calendar event scheduled for the following morning or launching a particular group of productivity apps when an iPad is connected to a Magic Keyboard.
This could significantly lower the barrier to using Shortcuts, which has traditionally offered powerful automation but can require users to understand how different actions and conditions fit together.
Apple Intelligence Comes Deeper Into the Home
Apple Intelligence is also expanding into the Home app and HomeKit Secure Video.
The Home app will be able to recognise related accessory notifications as part of the same activity rather than presenting each event separately.
AI-generated video descriptions can summarise what occurred across a sequence of security-camera clips.
Users can also search their camera recordings for particular events, such as a package being delivered.
The Home app can additionally highlight noteworthy clips that users may want to review.
Accessibility Tools Get AI Upgrades
Apple is applying its new AI capabilities to accessibility features as well.
VoiceOver can provide richer descriptions of onscreen images and a user's surroundings.
Updates to Live Recognition will allow users to press the Action button on supported iPhones and ask questions about what is around them.
Magnifier will provide similar capabilities through an interface designed for people with low vision.
Voice Control is also becoming more conversational, allowing users to describe buttons and controls rather than having to remember their exact names or numerical identifiers.
Accessibility Reader is being expanded to work with more complex material and provide on-demand summaries and translation.
Privacy Remains Central to Apple's AI Strategy
Despite expanding its use of cloud-based artificial intelligence, Apple continues to position privacy as a defining element of Apple Intelligence.
The new architecture combines on-device processing with Private Cloud Compute for requests requiring more powerful server-side models.
Apple says personal information processed through Private Cloud Compute is not stored or made accessible to Apple.
The company also says external security researchers can continue to verify its privacy protections.
This privacy architecture could become increasingly important as Apple Intelligence becomes capable of working with highly personal information across Mail, Messages, Photos, Calendar and other applications.
When Will the New Apple Intelligence Features Be Available?
The next generation of Apple Intelligence is currently available for developer testing.
Apple says a public beta will become available through the Apple Beta Software Program, while supported users will gain access to the features in fall 2026 with:
iOS 27 |
iPadOS 27 |
macOS 27 |
watchOS 27 |
visionOS 27 |
Apple Intelligence will support English along with Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, simplified and traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
However, individual features may vary depending on language and region.
Which Devices Support the New Apple Intelligence?
According to Apple, Apple Intelligence with its next-generation operating systems will be available on supported hardware including:
iPhone 16 models or later |
iPhone 15 Pro |
iPhone 15 Pro Max |
iPad mini with A17 Pro |
iPad models with M1 or later |
MacBook Neo with A18 Pro |
Mac models with M1 or later |
Apple Vision Pro |
Apple Watch Series 9 or later |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later |
Apple Watch SE 3 |
Some capabilities will have additional device, language or regional requirements.
Apple has also said some server-dependent features, including image generation, will have daily usage limits. Increased access will be included with most iCloud+ subscription plans.
For Apple users, however, the direction is clear:
Apple Intelligence is moving from a collection of individual AI features towards an intelligence layer running throughout the Apple ecosystem.
