If you’ve been using Siri on your iPhone for the past decade, you’ve probably noticed it can feel a bit dated compared to modern chatbots. While the voice assistant was once a flashy showcase of Apple’s tech prowess, it’s fallen behind more advanced AI models. Between missed queries and awkward phrasing, Siri’s quirks have become too common to ignore.
On top of performance issues, Siri has faced a steady stream of controversies—privacy concerns, limited functionality, and inconsistent answers. As AI rivals like ChatGPT and Claude continue to impress users, Apple is under growing pressure to rethink the way it offers voice assistance, especially in regions governed by strict antitrust rules.
ChatGPT and Friends Step In
According to Bloomberg, Apple is gearing up to let European iPhone owners choose their default voice assistant—Siri or any third-party AI they prefer. Imagine summoning ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Anthropic’s Claude instead of Siri. You could ask questions, draft messages, or seek directions through your favorite AI model. It’s a big shift that could dramatically improve your day-to-day experience on iOS.
This change is driven by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which forces big tech companies to open their ecosystems and give users more freedom. Apple’s walled garden has long kept third-party services at arm’s length, but the DMA requires more openness. By letting you pick a different AI assistant, Apple can comply while still maintaining control over hardware and core software.
Will Siri Be Pushed Out?
Letting other AIs step in could leave Siri in the dust. Modern large language models handle complex queries far better, with smoother conversation flow and more accurate responses. If you can seamlessly swap Siri for a superior AI, why wouldn’t you? It’s easy to picture chatbots becoming the go-to assistants on European iPhones, while Siri gets relegated to a backup role—or perhaps retires entirely.
For longtime Siri fans, this might sting. But Apple seems ready to accept the reality: Siri isn’t cutting-edge, and rebuilding it from scratch could take years. Opening the door to competition might be the fastest way to meet user expectations and EU regulations simultaneously. In the process, Siri may become an optional legacy feature rather than the star of the show.
Europe’s Digital Markets Act: A Game Changer
The DMA is at the heart of this potential shake-up. Designed to curb monopolistic practices by tech giants, it mandates interoperability and user choice. Apple’s App Store rules have already been relaxed, letting developers link to external payment systems. Now, voice assistants are in the crosshairs too.
By offering a selection menu when you first set up your iPhone in Europe, Apple can tick the DMA compliance box. Users will see a shortlist of recommended AI assistants—complete with icons and download links—right alongside Siri. From that moment on, the alternative assistant will handle your “Hey Siri” prompts, while Siri waits its turn in the background.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Voice Assistants on iPhone
Apple isn’t giving up on AI entirely. In fact, sources say the company is quietly developing a next-generation Siri powered by an in-house large language model. However, this new Siri won’t be bundled with the rest of Apple Intelligence, suggesting it’s more of a side project than a core feature.
For now, Apple’s strategy seems to be: let the competition shine, stay on the right side of regulators, and work on a better Siri behind the scenes. If the new Siri ever catches up, it could reclaim its spot as the default assistant worldwide. Until then, European users might experience a smorgasbord of AI options on their iPhones—turning Siri’s future into an open question.
