Siri on Your iPhone with iOS 18.1: A New Look but the Same Functionality

If you’re using an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16, you can now access Apple Intelligence by updating to iOS 18.1. This update introduces a refreshed appearance for Siri, featuring a stunning edge-lit animation.

However, this new animation does not indicate a significant enhancement in Siri’s intelligence or capabilities. Below is a clearer picture of what’s new… and what remains on hold.

Updates to Siri are part of the rollout of Apple Intelligence, which is available on compatible iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices running the latest operating system. It’s important to note that in the current iOS 18.1 version, your device language must be set to US English to utilize these features. Support for additional English locales is expected in iOS 18.2, with more languages to follow in 2025.

If Apple Intelligence isn’t activated on a supported device, Siri will continue to exhibit its previous orb-like form. Meanwhile, if you have Apple Intelligence, you’ll be treated to an eye-catching new design along with an edge-lit animation that responds to your voice.

What’s new in Siri right now

The new design is the primary upgrade presently accessible to users, but there are also some behavioral modifications worth noting. Firstly, the updated interface allows you to double-tap the home indicator to launch the Siri interface complete with a keyboard, enabling you to type commands when speaking isn’t practical. Additionally, Apple Intelligence boasts an upgraded voice synthesis engine, resulting in a more natural sound.

Moreover, Siri has improved in understanding unclear or mispronounced queries. For example, if you mix up your words during a question, Siri is now less likely to become confused and more likely to grasp your actual intent. So if you say, “What’s the weather in Spain, no, I meant France?” you should receive the weather details for France, not Spain.

Furthermore, Siri has become more adept at referencing user manuals for Apple products. This means you can ask Siri powered by Apple Intelligence for guidance on using your device, and it will provide a list of steps derived from Apple’s official documentation.

However, the key takeaway is that while Siri may look more appealing, do not expect a surge in capabilities just yet. Apart from the how-to assistance regarding Apple’s products, Siri remains largely the same in terms of intelligence — for now.

When to expect Siri to improve

Initial enhancements to Siri are anticipated with the launch of iOS 18.2, expected in December. This update will enable ChatGPT integration at a system level, allowing Siri to refer to ChatGPT when it lacks an answer to your request. This change will lead to a wider range of trivia and knowledge-based queries being successfully addressed by ChatGPT, as opposed to providing an unhelpful Google search result list. You won’t need a paid account to access the ChatGPT integration in iOS 18.2, but you will need to opt in.

The next major jump in Siri’s functionalities is rumored to come within the next few months, potentially as part of iOS 18.4 in the spring.

That update is expected to empower Siri to pull from personal context using data stored on your device to respond to more complex questions. This means Siri could utilize data from message threads, emails, and calendar events to naturally answer queries like, “When is my flight?” or “What book did Jane recommend?”

Additonally, iOS 18.4 will introduce new Siri integrations with various in-app actions and on-screen awareness capabilities. For instance, if you’re viewing a photo in the Photos app and say, “make it pop,” Siri will automatically initiate photo editing features.

In a similar vein, Apple promises that if you’re looking at a group chat in Messages discussing dinner plans, you could simply say, “call the restaurant,” and Siri will extract the phone number from the conversation to place the call for you.

Conclusion

Siri has undergone a visual and auditory upgrade today. But patience is key until more substantial new features become available. It’s also worth noting that iOS 18.4 isn’t expected to solve all the existing shortcomings either; updates are primarily focused on queries related to personal context, and many areas where Siri currently struggles, like the ability to control multiple HomeKit devices in a single command, are likely to persist.

Apple’s consumer marketing has not set realistic expectations for users, as one of the first Apple Intelligence ads showcased features of Siri that won’t be available until next year.

A strong argument can be made that Apple should have postponed the rollout of the new design until some significant functionalities were ready for release. Specifically, the Type to Siri feature may encourage users to interact with it like a chatbot, especially with the appearance of an empty text field. However, Siri is not equipped to operate in that manner just yet.