The next major evolution of Siri, powered by artificial intelligence, will be one of the highlights of iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate. However, not all users will be able to enjoy the new features. Siri AI will require recent and specific hardware. In this article, we examine the complete list of compatible devices and the differences between models.
iPhone models compatible with Siri AI
Compatibility of Siri AI on iPhones depends on the processor and generation. According to official information, the only existing iPhones that will support the new Siri are the flagship models from the last two years. Specifically, eligible devices include the iPhone 17 Pro family, namely iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, along with the new iPhone Air. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max series will also receive support, while standard and SE models will remain excluded. This choice ensures that advanced features, such as contextual understanding and generative responses, can be executed efficiently.
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iPads and Macs with sufficient chips
Regarding tablets, Siri AI will be available on all iPads with an M4 chip or later, with at least 12 GB of unified memory. This includes recent iPad Pro and iPad Air models. Macs must instead have an M3 processor or later, always with 12 GB of RAM or more. This setup allows advanced language models to run directly on the device, ensuring high performance and privacy. Computers with older chips, such as M1 or M2, will therefore not benefit from the new Siri.
Apple Watch and Vision Pro
The Apple Watch will support Siri AI exclusively when paired with a compatible iPhone. This means that even if your watch is the latest generation, you will need a recent iPhone to activate the new features. The new Apple Vision Pro, on the other hand, is already equipped with the M5 chip and will be fully compatible. Its computational power will allow you to take full advantage of Siri AI's capabilities, offering an immersive and interactive experience.
Voice customization and advanced models
Some Siri AI features will require even more performant hardware. Full customization of the pace and expressiveness of the voice will be reserved for iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPads with M4 or later and 12 GB of RAM, Macs with M3 or later and 12 GB of RAM, and Apple Vision Pro. Furthermore, the most powerful AI model currently developed by Apple will be limited to these same devices. This could create a difference in the performance of Siri AI across various compatible models, but it is not yet clear how much it will affect the overall experience.
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Why the limited compatibility
The decision to limit Siri AI to recent hardware is likely tied to the high computational demands of language models. On-device processing requires a large amount of memory and processing power, which only the latest chips can offer. Additionally, Apple may want to encourage users to upgrade to newer devices. It remains to be seen whether this strategy will convince users to update their devices. According to forecasts, Siri AI will be available in beta before the public launch in the fall, coinciding with the release of iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate.
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Final considerations
Siri AI represents a significant step for Apple's voice assistant, but its limited availability could divide the ecosystem. If you own a recent device, you will be able to enjoy innovative features such as more natural control, contextual responses, and a more realistic voice. Otherwise, you will have to consider whether to upgrade to a new iPhone, iPad, or Mac. While waiting for the official launch, remember that you can explore other topics related to the Apple world, such as the best coffee subscriptions tested by WIRED or the 5 missing features of Android Auto. For more details on Siri AI, you can check the Wikipedia page dedicated to Siri.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/05/siri-ai-is-coming-to-newer-apple-devices-only-heres-the-full-list
