Tim Cook hints at another Apple Intelligence launch postponement

Buyers of the iPhone 16 are still waiting for Apple’s promised AI, but the launch of new features has been delayed and increasingly fragmented. CEO Tim Cook recently said that an improved version of Siri won’t arrive until “within a few months,” hinting at another delayed release.

An improved version of Siri will only be available “within a few months,” hinting at another delayed release.

Next-generation Siri: What Apple is promising

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The new Siri is expected to be a revolution in virtual assistants. It will be able to better understand the user and perform tasks in different apps. Currently, Apple Intelligence is limited to texting, emoji generation, and not always accurate summaries of notifications.

Tim Cook’s announcement also confirms what insider Mark Gurman has been saying: a full-fledged rollout of Apple Intelligence isn’t expected until 2026. It was previously scheduled to launch in April this year alongside iOS 18.4, but now it looks like the official unveiling could take place this year, with the real thing not appearing until the following year.

An announcement by Tim Cook also confirms what insider Mark Gurman has been saying: that Apple Intelligence isn’t expected to be fully implemented until 2026.

Risks for Apple and user dissatisfaction

This approach looks like a serious mistake on the company’s part. The iPhone 16 was marketed with a focus on two key benefits: Apple Intelligence and a camera control button. However, the AI is not yet available in all regions, and the European version of the phone is different in terms of functionality. The delay until 2026 effectively makes the iPhone 16 not a must-have upgrade and encourages users to wait for the release of the iPhone 17.

The delay to 2026 effectively makes the iPhone 16 not a must-have upgrade and encourages users to wait for the release of the iPhone 17.

Tim Cook and promises of “irreplaceable” features

In a recent financial report, Cook reemphasized the upcoming AI tools, saying that users won’t be able to do without them after their first encounter. I’d like to believe that’s true, as the potential for artificial intelligence on smartphones could really be something unique and useful.

Cook said that the potential for AI on smartphones could be something unique and useful.

Competing with Samsung

It’s worth noting that Samsung is also heavily pushing AI features in its new Galaxy S25 smartphones. However, to be honest, so far the Galaxy AI doesn’t demonstrate anything dramatically new. So the choice between the iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S25 remains quite balanced.

The choice between the iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S25 remains quite balanced.