Short Answer
The new Siri (Siri AI) was unveiled by Apple at WWDC 2026 and is the biggest change to the assistant in years. It understands your personal context (messages, emails, photos), answers questions about what you see on screen, and performs actions within apps. It works on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 or newer, with an English beta arriving in late 2026, but it will not be available on iPhones and iPads in Romania at launch due to EU regulations (DMA).
What the New Siri Can Do
Apple has completely rethought Siri, transforming it from an assistant that responds to simple commands into one that understands context and acts on your behalf. Key capabilities include:
1. Personal Context
Siri can search through messages, emails, photos, and other apps to answer questions about your life. For example, it can find a specific person or subject in photos and use information from your apps to provide a relevant answer.
2. Onscreen Awareness
Siri "sees" what's on your screen and can answer questions related to the displayed content. It can suggest a reply to a message, create an itinerary from what you're viewing, or identify objects in an image and provide details about them.
3. In-App Actions
The new Siri can perform actions within integrated, system-level apps – it doesn't just tell you how to do something, it actually performs the steps for you.
4. Web Knowledge
Siri combines your personal data with up-to-date information from the internet for comprehensive answers based on both your context and general knowledge.
5. Dedicated Siri App
A separate Siri app will appear, where you can manage your conversations. Conversation history is synced privately across devices via iCloud.
Which Phones and Devices Run Siri AI
Siri AI requires a sufficiently powerful chip. Compatible devices include:
- **iPhone** — iPhone 16 and newer models, plus iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
- **iPad** — iPad mini with A17 Pro chip and iPad with M1 or newer
- **Mac** — MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) and any Mac with M1 or newer
- **Apple Watch** — Series 9 and newer, Ultra 2 and newer, SE 3
- **Apple Vision Pro**
Older iPhone models (e.g., standard iPhone 15, 14, or 13) can run iOS 27, but they will not receive Siri AI features.
When the New Siri Arrives
- **June 8, 2026** — available for developers (developer beta)
- **July 2026** — public beta
- **Fall 2026** — general release, alongside iOS 27
- **Late 2026** — Siri AI beta for English-speaking users
At launch, Siri AI will work in English and other languages (Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and others). Romanian is not on the initial list.
Why You Won't Have Siri AI in Romania
This is the most important point for users in Romania. According to Apple:
- On **iPhone and iPad**, users in the EU (and therefore Romania) **cannot access Siri AI at launch**.
- On **Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro**, EU users can use Siri AI.
The reason is related to how European regulators interpret the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple claims the requirements would force them to grant virtual assistants overly broad access to the device, without sufficient privacy protections. The company proposed an interim solution, but it was rejected, and currently there is no timeline for the launch of Siri AI on iPhones and iPads in the EU.
Also for regulatory reasons, Siri AI will not be available in China at launch.
What About Privacy
Apple states that the new Siri uses a new architecture designed specifically to protect privacy. Some processing is done directly on the device, and for more complex requests, it uses Private Cloud Compute, without your personal data being stored or accessed by Apple.
What This Means If You Want to Buy an iPhone
If you want a phone ready for the future of Siri AI, you'll need at least an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPhone 16. A standard iPhone 15 or older will run iOS 27, but not the Siri AI features – even if they eventually arrive in Romania.
For a second-hand iPhone, check two things before you pay:
- **The exact model** – so you know for sure if it supports Siri AI (Pro vs. standard matters for the iPhone 15).
- **The phone's history** – Activation Lock (iCloud), carrier lock, or blacklist cannot be resolved with a software update.
An IMEI check confirms the actual model and the phone's status in seconds, before the transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions about the New Siri
Can I use Siri AI in Romania?
Not on iPhone and iPad, at least at launch. Apple has postponed Siri AI on iOS and iPadOS throughout the EU due to DMA regulations. On Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro, Siri AI is available in the EU.
Which iPhone runs the new Siri?
On iPhone 16 and newer models, plus iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. Standard iPhone 15, 14, and older models do not receive Siri AI.
Does the new Siri speak Romanian?
Not at launch. The initial languages are English and several other European and Asian languages; Romanian is not on the list for now.
Can Siri AI read my messages and photos?
Siri uses your personal context (messages, emails, photos) to give you relevant answers, but Apple states that the processing is built on a privacy-protecting architecture, with Private Cloud Compute for complex requests.
When will Siri AI arrive in Romania?
There is no timeline announced by Apple. Availability depends on how discussions between Apple and European regulators regarding the DMA are resolved.