Xiaomi and Apple are now using the exact same AI brain

The tech world just witnessed a historic “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” moment. Apple has officially confirmed a multi-year partnership to integrate Google Gemini models into the heart of Siri, aiming to fix the assistant’s decade-long reputation for being “not-so-smart.” This isn’t just a minor patch; it’s a complete brain transplant that promises to make your iPhone more proactive, conversational, and genuinely helpful starting this spring.

I’ve been tracking the slow evolution of Apple Intelligence for years, and it’s clear that the local models weren’t enough for the complex reasoning users now expect. By tapping into Google’s massive knowledge graph while maintaining a “privacy-first” wrapper, Apple is finally narrowing the gap with Android rivals. Whether it’s planning a full travel itinerary or providing emotional support during a long day, the new Siri is shaping up to be the assistant we were promised back in 2011.

TL;DR: Siri’s Gemini Upgrade

• Spring Launch: The revamped, Gemini-powered Siri is expected to arrive with iOS 26.4 in March or April 2026.
• Proactive Intelligence: New features include complex travel booking, deep contextual awareness across apps like Mail and Messages, and emotional support.
• Privacy First: Apple will run customized Gemini models on its own Private Cloud Compute infrastructure to ensure Google never sees your data.
• The Convergence: This move puts Apple on the same AI footing as Xiaomi, which has already deeply integrated Gemini into Xiaomi HyperOS.

Will the New Siri Finally Understand You?

One of the biggest pain points with Siri has always been its “one-and-done” query handling. We have all experienced the frustration of asking a follow-up question only to have Siri forget what we were just talking about. The new Gemini-backed architecture changes this by introducing a Query Planner that can handle multi-step requests seamlessly.

According to reports, Siri will soon be able to look at your flight confirmation in Mail, check your Calendar for conflicts, and book a dinner reservation—all from a single voice command. This level of screen awareness and app control is a massive leap forward for the iOS ecosystem.

Apple and Xiaomi: An Unlikely AI Alliance

It is fascinating to see the two ends of the smartphone spectrum converging on the same technology. While Apple is just starting this journey, Xiaomi has already made huge strides with its Xiaomi HyperOS integration. In fact, many of the features coming to the iPhone this spring—like AI-generated summaries and image generation—are already staples on devices/

What Features Are Coming in iOS 26.4?

The upcoming spring update isn’t just about Siri; it’s a full-scale AI offensive. We are expecting a new Health+ AI service that can answer factual health questions and provide personalized workout recommendations. Furthermore, the Freeform app is finally getting folder support to help power users organize their brainstorms.

For those who use multiple devices, Xiaomi HyperConnect remains the gold standard for cross-device synergy, but Apple is clearly trying to catch up. The new Siri will reportedly be able to control your Xiaomi Pad or Xiaomi Band equivalents if they are bridged through the right smart home protocols.

The “Deep Think” Factor

Google’s Gemini 3 architecture allows for a “Deep Think” mode, which Apple will likely use for complex reasoning tasks. This means when you ask a difficult question, Siri won’t just give you a web link. Instead, it will synthesize information from multiple sources to provide a coherent, conversational answer.

We expect a full preview of even deeper integrations at WWDC in June 2026. For now, the focus is clearly on making the iPhone feel more like a personal companion and less like a static tool.

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