Apple's siri gets a speed boost, but ai still trails gemini

Apple’s iOS 27 beta 2 brings a much-needed shot of speed to Siri, but the AI assistant is still lagging behind competitors like Google’s Gemini, particularly when it comes to real-time data access.

A quick fix, but not a revolution

Following an initial sluggishness observed after installing iOS 27 beta 1, users now experience a noticeably faster Siri. Apple’s tweaked the underlying AI, adding a ‘Type to Siri’ button directly within the Messages, Notes, and Mail apps – a small but tangible improvement for quick command input. It’s a clever workaround, allowing users to simply type their requests, bypassing the slower, sometimes frustrating, processing time.

Standalone siri gets a manageable upgrade

Beyond the immediate messaging boost, Apple has implemented a significant usability update to the standalone Siri app. Now, users can select and delete multiple conversations at once, eliminating the tedious, one-by-one deletion process. This is a welcome change, reflecting a more streamlined approach to managing Siri interactions.

Gemini remains the faster responder

However, the core issue persists: Siri, even with this speed enhancement, still struggles to match the responsiveness of AI assistants like Google’s Gemini. When tested against Gemini running on a Pixel 6 Pro, Siri consistently failed to recall recent stock prices – a capability Gemini effortlessly provided. The reason? Apple’s prioritizing general world knowledge for Siri’s beta implementation, deliberately excluding direct access to external financial databases – a constraint that’s likely to shift with the stable public release.

A beta’s limitations

It’s crucial to remember that this is still a beta. The iOS 27 beta 2 update isn’t a final product. While Apple is undoubtedly working to refine Siri’s capabilities, users shouldn’t expect a fully realized, competitive AI assistant just yet. For those still awaiting the full potential of AI, leveraging a dedicated assistant like Gemini remains a viable option – and frankly, a more reliable one at this stage.

Iphone 15 pro users get priority access

Only users with the iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, 16, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, and 16e models will initially have access to Siri AI. Apple Intelligence compatible devices, including the iPhone 17 and its Pro variants, will receive the feature alongside the iOS 27 stable release slated for September. Those still clinging to older devices – like the iPhone 11 and later – will have to wait.