Siri and Visual Intelligence compared to Google?

[u/hk47xhk47x]

I've been using Apple's AI features on iOS 27, and I'm surprised by how far behind they still feel compared to Google. Siri is pretty lackluster, and Visual Intelligence seems much less accurate and useful than Google Lens.

With all the hype around Apple Intelligence, I expected these features to be a lot more capable by now. Google Lens seems much better at identifying things and providing useful information, while Apple's Visual Intelligence often struggles with things that seem like they should be relatively straightforward.

Am I missing something, or is Google's AI ecosystem still significantly ahead of Apple's when it comes to these features? I'm curious what other iPhone users think, especially anyone who has used both recently.

[u/BrianScalaweenie]

I think almost every other AI ecosystem is better than Apple’s at this point

[u/nowhereman4ever]

Apple is seeing the AI world pass on by , as it continues to struggle with Apple Intelligence. Their intentions may be noble ( privacy focus), but the implementation is seriously lacking

Like the other commenter said, almost every other AI ecosystem is better

[u/FollowingFeisty5321 → u/nowhereman4ever]

At this point they're completely reliant on not letting anyone else be your default assistant or have equal functionality. That's their only "competitive" advantage. Which makes how they will support the EU interesting, in their current state there's no way they could "win" if everyone else has access to the same system APIs and their apps can replace them as default.

We don’t feel threatened. The fact that we can do the integration that we can means we can create just a better experience than anybody else.

https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/15/apple-svp-greg-joswiak-we-dont-feel-threatened-by-openai-hardware-plans/

[u/Hoopoe0596 → u/nowhereman4ever]

Agree. And it’s one thing to be new to it and iterate/improve rapidly ie the every 4 week model refreshes from Gemini, Claude and ChatGPT. But I bet we get some minor improvement next year and it needs the newest iPhone.

[u/nn2597713]

Anything search related, Google runs 20 laps around Apple.

CarPlay Apple Maps: “I want to go to Second Chance Chairs in Someplace City”, “Sorry I cannot find that place”, whip out the phone, Apple only knows it as “Second Chance Tables and Chairs” and couldn’t understand I meant that…

CarPlay Google Maps: tap the Gemini button, “there’s this store that sells leftover cheap furniture that didn’t sell in the fancier stores, I know it’s not in Whateverville but it’s pretty close to it” - “Starting navigation to Second Chance Tables and Chairs in Someplace City”

[u/Osle99ss → u/nn2597713]

Sounds like Apple hasn't implemented the context feature.

[u/Tubular_Code]

Siri and apple intelligence integration are null to me as a developer or basically only good for checking the weather or turning on some lights. I used Claude to disable and remove whatever aspects of Siri that I could after testing and seeing how limited it was. It's wild to me that Apple would release something that encumbers power users in favour of generic use.

[u/Osle99ss → u/Tubular_Code]

Mediocre pablum milquetoast with products like HomeView have taken over.

[u/oorhon]

I use new Siri on Macos and Ipados for contextual information. Like asking about app feature or technical help. Or setting a date from message information or looking for specific thing recored on photos app etc. And it really works work for this. Like true digital assistant.

For general information or object recognation etc, I use Google services.

[u/Boring_Occasion_3526]

I have tried VI and it’s okay , almost there … and siri feels somewhat closer than it used to be