Apple (AAPL), since WWDC 2024, has offered a easy comeback story: Siri is getting an actual AI mind, additional cementing Apple’s AI credentials.
CEO Tim Prepare dinner put it this fashion.
Nevertheless, the most recent reporting presents an issue for Apple and Siri lovers. The problem for Apple comes down to at least one phrase: reliability.
Apple’s Siri push simply bought extra sophisticated.Picture by Bloomberg on Getty Photos · Picture by Bloomberg on Getty Photos
Apple’s overhauled Siri is hitting new snags in inside testing. The problem is reportedly forcing a rethink in Apple’s C-suite. Apple guess the farm on the improve, and it appears it may’t want away the problem.
The most recent misstep is forcing the corporate to think about spreading key options past iOS 26.4, scheduled for March. The options now may debut in iOS 26.5 (Might) and later releases, together with iOS 27, in keeping with a report from The Verge, T3 reported.
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That timing issues for Apple buyers and tech followers. Apple’s 2026 iPhone thesis is more and more related to “Apple Intelligence,” making it to the rollout stage and turning into a ubiquitous a part of the every day lifetime of Apple customers, as an alternative of only a show on stage.
And now Wall Road is beginning to commerce the Apple schedule.
AAPL fell about 5%, following studies that emerged concerning the delayed Siri AI upgrades.
Apple’s Siri delay comes at a time when the tech large’s monetary state of affairs is robust.
In its fiscal Q1 2026 report (quarter ended Dec. 27, 2025), Apple reported $143.8 billion in income (+16% 12 months over 12 months), ending with $2.84 in EPS (+19% YoY). That is not all; Apple posted roughly $54 billion in working money move and about $32 billion returned to shareholders.
These numbers clarify why the Siri delay feels extra vital. Apple continues to be an organization that’s printing money, however inherent within the worth of the inventory is an assumption that the tech large could make substantial adjustments on schedule.
Inventory verify (as of Feb. 14, 2026):
Apple additionally declared a $0.26/share dividend payable Feb. 12.
The massive challenge for Apple is that the options reportedly dealing with delay are probably the most hyped. Apple followers are salivating on the prospect of Siri shifting from a mere “voice assistant” to one thing extra intimate, one thing like an always-available agent.
For now, the whole lot could be very hush-hush. Nevertheless, rumors about Apple’s new developments are at present circulating. Apple’s new Siri capabilities reportedly embody extra private context and deeper actions throughout apps.
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These are the capabilities underneath the scanner, and these are why, because of testing points, timelines are being shifted from iOS 26.4 towards later releases.
That’s, sadly, the check that many tech followers need main conglomerates to sail by means of. They don’t need to see a flashy demo. As a substitute, they need to see the cargo of a quick, correct, reliable assistant that works in real-world conditions.
After the delay got here to mild, Apple reiterated to CNBC that it is nonetheless on monitor to debut the upgraded Siri in 2026. Nevertheless, there was no dedication to a particular iOS level launch.
That piece of reports issues.
Apple can meet the promise of “2026,” however it missed the possibility to make an enormous Siri leap within the spring, when buyers sought to reward tech giants which can be delivering on AI hype.
AAPL is now a belief commerce. Siri can, doubtlessly, deploy in phases, making it look like an unfinished product. The draw back is that this sort of launch trains customers to anticipate inconsistency from Apple.
The bar is increased for Apple as a result of it’s a basically robust model. File income, file EPS, and large money returns make customers anticipate clear execution, not long-lasting AI confusion.
Watch the Catalyst calendar. Apple now has three probabilities to indicate off Siri’s improvement in delivering software program: iOS 26.4 (March), iOS 26.5 (Might), and WWDC season. If it would not, extra “behind in AI” headlines will comply with.
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This story was initially printed by TheStreet on Feb 16, 2026, the place it first appeared within the Investing part. Add TheStreet as a Most well-liked Supply by clicking right here.