Apple officially integrates Google Gemini into Siri: deal details

Apple has confirmed long-standing rumors that the Siri voice assistant will receive a major upgrade based on Google’s Gemini language models. The company announced this to CNBC, putting an end to months of speculation and leaks.

Strategic partnership with Google

In autumn 2025, Bloomberg reported, citing sources, that Apple was negotiating with Google on a multi-year agreement worth about one billion dollars per year. This information has now been officially confirmed. After a thorough analysis of all available options, Apple concluded that Gemini technologies are the most suitable foundation for the further development of Apple Foundation Models, the company’s internal ecosystem of large language models.

The decision followed a long comparison of alternatives. Apple evaluated possible integrations with models from OpenAI and Anthropic, as well as the option of acquiring startups such as Mistral AI and Perplexity. In the end, the company chose a strategic and technological partnership with Google.

Management changes as part of the new strategy

The transition to Gemini coincided with major changes in the leadership of Apple’s AI division. In December 2025, John Giannandrea, who had led Apple’s AI development for many years, left the company. He was replaced by Amar Subramanya, a specialist with extensive experience at Microsoft and a former head of Gemini development at Google before 2018.

Subramanya’s appointment is directly linked to the new direction, as his expertise and connections are expected to help integrate Google’s technologies into Apple’s ecosystem as effectively as possible.

Timeline and plans for the Siri update

According to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman, the full release of the updated Siri is expected in spring 2026, together with iOS 26.4. In this version, the assistant will receive a new core based on Gemini, which should significantly expand its capabilities, including more natural dialogue, better contextual understanding, and improved handling of complex requests.

In brief

Apple has officially confirmed the integration of Google Gemini into Siri, with the partnership costing about one billion dollars per year. After evaluating alternatives such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, and Perplexity, Apple chose Google’s technologies. A key factor was the appointment of Amar Subramanya, the former head of the Gemini project, as the new leader of Apple’s AI division. The updated Siri is expected to launch in spring 2026 with iOS 26.4. This represents one of the most significant technological partnerships in Apple’s recent history.