The Shortcomings of Apple Intelligence: A Critical Examination and the Best Alternatives

Apple has long been celebrated for its innovation, yet its foray into artificial intelligence (AI), branded as Apple Intelligence, has encountered significant challenges. These issues raise concerns about the company’s ability to lead in the AI landscape. While competitors continue to push the boundaries of AI-driven experiences, Apple’s AI efforts have been slow to materialise, leaving many users searching for better alternatives.

Apple Intelligence: What’s Going Wrong?

1. Delayed Advancements in Siri

Siri, Apple’s voice-activated assistant, has struggled to keep pace with competitors. Plans for a more advanced, conversational version have faced delays, with the most modern iteration now expected no sooner than iOS 20, possibly arriving in 2027. An interim upgrade utilizing large language models is planned for iOS 18.5, but may not operate seamlessly. These setbacks highlight internal challenges within Apple’s AI department, including leadership issues and staff departures to competitors.

2. Inaccurate AI-Generated News Summaries

Apple’s introduction of AI-generated news summaries aimed to enhance user experience but instead led to misinformation. The feature produced erroneous headlines, such as falsely reporting that a murder suspect had committed suicide while in custody. This prompted criticism from reputable news organisations like the BBC, leading Apple to suspend the feature and acknowledge the need for improvements.

3. Internal Acknowledgment of AI Limitations

Apple’s own research has exposed critical flaws in AI’s logical reasoning abilities. A study titled GSM-Symbolic: Understanding the Limitations of Mathematical Reasoning in Large Language Models revealed that AI systems often rely on pattern matching rather than true understanding. This raises questions about the effectiveness of Apple’s AI in complex problem-solving scenarios.

4. Impact on Market Position

The delays in AI feature rollouts have had tangible effects on Apple’s market performance. The latest iPhone 16 series, released without significant AI enhancements, has seen reduced demand, particularly in China, where Apple’s market share dropped by 10 percentage points to 17%. This decline underscores the growing importance of AI capabilities in consumer electronics and the need for Apple to accelerate its AI development to maintain competitiveness.

The Best Alternatives to Apple Intelligence

Given Apple’s AI shortcomings, users may find more advanced, flexible, and reliable alternatives in the following AI platforms:

1. ChatGPT by OpenAI (GPT-4 and Beyond)

Why it’s better:

• More advanced conversational AI: Unlike Siri, ChatGPT provides highly contextual, nuanced responses.
• Customisation & memory: Users can personalise their AI interactions, whereas Apple Intelligence remains rigid.
• Cross-platform availability: Works seamlessly across various devices, not just within the Apple ecosystem.

2. Google Gemini (Formerly Bard)

Why it’s better:

• Superior web integration: Gemini provides up-to-date search results, while Apple Intelligence lacks real-time information retrieval.
• Seamless Google Workspace integration: AI-powered assistance for Docs, Gmail, and Calendar boosts productivity.
• Better reasoning capabilities: Google’s AI is designed for deeper logical understanding, unlike Apple’s pattern-based AI limitations.

3. Microsoft Copilot (Integrated with Office and Windows)

Why it’s better:

• Professional AI assistance: Deeply integrated with Word, Excel, and Outlook for document creation and data analysis.
• Enterprise-friendly: Designed for businesses, while Apple’s AI remains consumer-focused.
• Powerful cloud computing: Microsoft’s AI benefits from Azure’s vast computing power.

4. Amazon Alexa with AI Enhancements

Why it’s better:

• Industry-leading smart home integration: Works with a wider range of smart devices than Apple’s HomeKit.
• Improved conversational AI: Alexa has received generative AI updates, making it more natural and interactive.
• More developer-friendly: Unlike Apple, Amazon allows extensive third-party development.

5. Samsung Galaxy AI

Why it’s better:

• On-device AI processing: Samsung’s AI reduces lag and enhances privacy.
• Live call translation: A real-time translation feature unmatched by Apple’s AI.
• Smart Notes AI: Advanced summarisation and organisation features make it ideal for productivity.

Conclusion

Apple Intelligence has yet to prove itself as a leader in AI. With Siri falling behind, AI-generated news summaries failing, and AI research revealing core reasoning flaws, Apple faces an uphill battle. Meanwhile, competitors like OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Samsung are pushing AI innovation further and faster, offering users more reliable and powerful alternatives.