Apple has confirmed that the new AI model GPT-5 from OpenAI will be included in Apple Intelligence with the updates to iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 expected in September. The company is thus upgrading numerous AI functions – including Siri, visual intelligence and the writing tools. According to OpenAI, the model brings significant improvements in performance and flexibility, which should provide a noticeable upgrade, especially on the new iPhone 17 (Pro).
- GPT-5 replaces GPT-4o in Apple Intelligence, use remains optional
- Integration with Siri, visual intelligence and writing tools
- Launch with iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 in September
- More performance by combining Reasoning and LLM models
From an optional extra to a more powerful helper
Until now, users could optionally activate GPT-4o in selected Apple Intelligence functions – for example, to ask Siri complex questions, automatically formulate texts or recognize objects via the camera. This integration was based on a close partnership between Apple and OpenAI, in which Apple’s own “Foundational Models” were supplemented by OpenAI’s technology. With GPT-5, the underlying model is now being replaced, while the connection for OpenAI accounts remains in place. This means that anyone already using an OpenAI account can continue to link it in order to unleash the full power of the new AI on Apple devices.
Use is deliberately optional – Apple does not want to completely replace its own models, but rather strengthen them selectively. However, GPT-5 could quickly become the standard for many users, especially for computationally intensive tasks such as context-based text writing or recognizing and describing complex scenes.
What GPT-5 promises technically
OpenAI presented GPT-5 just a few days ago. For the first time, the model combines the strengths of classic LLM architectures with specialized reasoning components to independently decide how a query is processed. The result: faster responses, more precise results and more flexible handling of multi-level tasks.
This further development could be particularly noticeable in interactions with Siri – for example, when the voice assistant not only implements simple commands, but also takes on complex planning, summaries or analyses. This also opens up more scope for developers and power users who use AI-supported workflows on the Mac or iPad.
In addition, GPT-5 should ensure smoother performance thanks to more efficient processing, even when several AI functions are running in parallel. Although Apple itself has not provided any exact benchmark figures, it has indicated that newer devices such as the upcoming iPhone 17 generation will benefit the most.
Outlook for the release in September
With the official rollout of iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 in September, GPT-5 will become an integral part of Apple Intelligence. The current beta versions do not yet include the integration, so developers and testers will continue to work with GPT-4o for the time being.
The combination of Apple’s own AI architecture and OpenAI’s latest model shows how strongly the market is moving towards hybrid solutions. Instead of developing everything itself, Apple is relying on targeted partnerships to offer its users the best available technology – an approach that is likely to bring a significant leap in quality with GPT-5.
Conclusion
The integration of GPT-5 into Apple Intelligence marks an important step for Apple’s AI strategy. Users can look forward to a noticeable increase in performance, especially for complex tasks and when interacting with Siri. The launch is planned for September 2025 with the new operating system updates, alongside the launch of the iPhone 17 (Pro). The price for use remains unchanged – anyone who wants to can activate GPT-5 at no extra cost as long as there is a connection to an OpenAI account.
