Siri AI is the headline feature of iOS 27, but iPhone owners hoping to use it the moment the stable update arrives should prepare for a short delay. Even with a compatible model, users will be placed on a waiting list before gaining access to Apple’s revamped assistant.
The stable iOS 27 update is expected to roll out in September, giving those who avoided the beta their first opportunity to try the improved assistant. However, installing the update will not grant immediate access. Apple applied the same approach to the iOS 27 and macOS 27 betas, requiring users to sign up before Siri AI became available.
Why Apple Uses a Waitlist for Siri AI
Apple reportedly introduced the waitlist during the beta period to gauge the server capacity needed to process AI queries and tasks that cannot be handled on-device and must be answered via the cloud. Wait times have varied. Some users who installed the first iOS 27 beta on 6 June, immediately after the WWDC 2026 keynote, remained on the list for a couple of weeks. Others gained access in under an hour.
What the Improved Siri Can Do
Apple has substantially refined Siri AI between the initial iOS 27 beta and the release of developer beta 7 and Public Beta 5. The assistant now delivers in-depth responses across a wide range of topics, while retaining core functions such as setting alarms and timers. A standalone Siri app allows users to revisit previous responses.
Some issues remain ahead of the stable release. On occasion, Siri AI cuts off long verbal prompts or fails to register spoken input correctly. Users seeking alternative responses can install other AI apps from the App Store, such as Gemini, ChatGPT, Copilot and Claude, though these apps cannot set alarms or timers.
The Technology Behind the New Siri
The new assistant runs on a custom 1.2 trillion parameter model based on Google’s Gemini technology. Apple is reportedly paying Google around £740 million a year to use Google’s Gemini Large Language Model. The difference between the older Siri and the AI-driven version is intended to be clearly noticeable once users gain access.
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Image: phonearena.com
