If you’re planning to upgrade your TV, OLED is one of the best technologies you can choose today. They offer deeper blacks, better contrast, and more accurate colors because each pixel works independently. This creates a more immersive experience, whether you’re watching movies, sports, or playing games. It’s one of the main reasons why OLED TVs are often recommended by experts.
The only issue has always been the price. However, the situation is different today, as technology allows users to choose models that deliver equal performance but are cheaper. For your convenience, we looked at expert reviews and real-world performance experts and have selected the best budget OLED TV models.
1. Samsung S90F OLED TV
In terms of price-to-performance, the Samsung S90F OLED TV is one of the top recommendations right now. It doesn’t just rely on standard OLED strengths; it pushes things further with its QD-OLED panel. That means brighter highlights and more saturated colors, especially noticeable in HDR content. Instead of the usual “good OLED picture,” this one actually stands out when you’re watching high-quality movies or shows. Bright scenes look punchier, and darker scenes still keep their depth without losing detail.
Where this TV really stands out is in gaming. First, it supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate, and the low input lag helps keep gameplay smooth and responsive. Secondly, the presence of features like VRR can eliminate issues such as screen tearing. If gaming is even a low priority, this is one of the best options.
Another advantage is viewing angles. Even if you’re not sitting directly in front, colors and contrast stay consistent. Compared to something like the S85F, if you watch in a bright room, this makes a noticeable difference over cheaper OLEDs, which makes a real difference in well-lit rooms.
2. LG B5 Series OLED TV
The LG B5 is one of those TVs that doesn’t try to impress with flashy upgrades but gets the basics right. It delivers what most people expect from OLED: deep blacks, strong contrast, and natural-looking colors, but the key difference is how balanced everything feels. Nothing looks overprocessed or exaggerated, making it a safe choice if you watch a mix of content, including movies, sports, and regular TV.
LG’s processing also plays a big role here. Lower-resolution content doesn’t look stretched or blurry, which is useful if you’re not always watching 4K content. It quietly improves the overall viewing experience without making it obvious. That’s something LG has been consistently good at, and this model continues that trend.
For gaming, it covers all the important features without going overboard. You get a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 support, VRR, and low input lag. It’s not as aggressive as Samsung’s 144Hz setup, but for console gaming, it’s more than enough and feels smooth in real use.
3. Sony Bravia XR8B OLED TV
Sony takes a different approach compared to Samsung and LG. If you watch a lot of movies or shows, this TV is best for you. Instead of focusing on brightness or gaming specs, it puts more effort into how the picture actually looks. The XR8B reflects that. Colors feel more accurate, especially skin tones, and motion looks smoother in fast scenes.
One of its biggest strengths is upscaling. Not everything you watch will be in 4K, and this is where Sony usually performs better than others. Lower-resolution content looks cleaner and more detailed, rather than just being stretched to fit the screen. That alone makes it a good option for people who still watch HD channels or older content.
Furthermore, the Google TV interface enhances the experience. It’s easy to navigate, and most apps are readily available, so there’s no learning curve. Everything feels straightforward, which matters for daily use.
That said, it’s not the strongest performer in every area. Brightness is lower than that of Samsung’s QD-OLED models, so HDR doesn’t feel as impactful. It’s also priced a bit higher than it should be for what it offers, especially if gaming is important to you. But if your focus is on accurate visuals and overall picture quality, this TV still holds its place.
4. Samsung S85F OLED TV
The Samsung S85F OLED TV is meant for people who want better color accuracy from an OLED display but are not looking to purchase a premium OLED TV. The advanced QD-OLED screen technology boosts color vibrancy and brightness compared to an ordinary OLED display. Colors look richer, and contrast remains strong, so the overall image quality is still impressive for the price.
In terms of features, the S85F supports the full suite of HDMI 2.1 functionality, including 120Hz refresh rate and VRR. As a result, it is well-suited for gaming, as it ensures smoother gameplay without screen tearing during fast-action sequences. For console users especially, this setup works well and doesn’t feel limited in everyday use.
The main reason to consider this model is price. If you want QD-OLED without stretching your budget too much, this is worth considering.
5. Panasonic Z85 OLED TV
The Panasonic Z85 focuses on a slightly different audience. Instead of pushing picture performance to the limit, it tries to offer a more complete experience out of the box. The display still delivers solid OLED-level contrast and black levels, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on the core benefits.
One of the main highlights of this TV is the high-quality sound. Unlike most TVs in this range, the built-in speakers are actually good enough for regular use. You don’t immediately feel the need to add a soundbar, which can save extra cost and setup effort. For many users, that makes a practical difference.
It also supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which gives you more flexibility depending on what you watch. That’s something not all TVs offer, and it helps ensure compatibility across different platforms.
Compared to Samsung and LG models, it feels a bit less dynamic, especially in bright scenes. It’s also not as widely recommended in top-tier rankings, which affects its positioning here. Still, if you want a simple setup with good sound and reliable picture quality, this TV does its job well without overcomplicating things.
If you’re planning to upgrade your TV, OLED is one of the best technologies you can choose today. They offer deeper blacks, better contrast, and more accurate colors because each pixel works independently. This creates a more immersive experience, whether you’re watching movies, sports, or playing games. It’s one of the main reasons why OLED TVs are often recommended by experts.
The only issue has always been the price. However, the situation is different today, as technology allows users to choose models that deliver equal performance but are cheaper. For your convenience, we looked at expert reviews and real-world performance experts and have selected the best budget OLED TV models.
1. Samsung S90F OLED TV
In terms of price-to-performance, the Samsung S90F OLED TV is one of the top recommendations right now. It doesn’t just rely on standard OLED strengths; it pushes things further with its QD-OLED panel. That means brighter highlights and more saturated colors, especially noticeable in HDR content. Instead of the usual “good OLED picture,” this one actually stands out when you’re watching high-quality movies or shows. Bright scenes look punchier, and darker scenes still keep their depth without losing detail.
Where this TV really stands out is in gaming. First, it supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate, and the low input lag helps keep gameplay smooth and responsive. Secondly, the presence of features like VRR can eliminate issues such as screen tearing. If gaming is even a low priority, this is one of the best options.
Another advantage is viewing angles. Even if you’re not sitting directly in front, colors and contrast stay consistent. Compared to something like the S85F, if you watch in a bright room, this makes a noticeable difference over cheaper OLEDs, which makes a real difference in well-lit rooms.
2. LG B5 Series OLED TV
The LG B5 is one of those TVs that doesn’t try to impress with flashy upgrades but gets the basics right. It delivers what most people expect from OLED: deep blacks, strong contrast, and natural-looking colors, but the key difference is how balanced everything feels. Nothing looks overprocessed or exaggerated, making it a safe choice if you watch a mix of content, including movies, sports, and regular TV.
LG’s processing also plays a big role here. Lower-resolution content doesn’t look stretched or blurry, which is useful if you’re not always watching 4K content. It quietly improves the overall viewing experience without making it obvious. That’s something LG has been consistently good at, and this model continues that trend.
For gaming, it covers all the important features without going overboard. You get a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 support, VRR, and low input lag. It’s not as aggressive as Samsung’s 144Hz setup, but for console gaming, it’s more than enough and feels smooth in real use.
3. Sony Bravia XR8B OLED TV
Sony takes a different approach compared to Samsung and LG. If you watch a lot of movies or shows, this TV is best for you. Instead of focusing on brightness or gaming specs, it puts more effort into how the picture actually looks. The XR8B reflects that. Colors feel more accurate, especially skin tones, and motion looks smoother in fast scenes.
One of its biggest strengths is upscaling. Not everything you watch will be in 4K, and this is where Sony usually performs better than others. Lower-resolution content looks cleaner and more detailed, rather than just being stretched to fit the screen. That alone makes it a good option for people who still watch HD channels or older content.
Furthermore, the Google TV interface enhances the experience. It’s easy to navigate, and most apps are readily available, so there’s no learning curve. Everything feels straightforward, which matters for daily use.
That said, it’s not the strongest performer in every area. Brightness is lower than that of Samsung’s QD-OLED models, so HDR doesn’t feel as impactful. It’s also priced a bit higher than it should be for what it offers, especially if gaming is important to you. But if your focus is on accurate visuals and overall picture quality, this TV still holds its place.
4. Samsung S85F OLED TV
The Samsung S85F OLED TV is meant for people who want better color accuracy from an OLED display but are not looking to purchase a premium OLED TV. The advanced QD-OLED screen technology boosts color vibrancy and brightness compared to an ordinary OLED display. Colors look richer, and contrast remains strong, so the overall image quality is still impressive for the price.
In terms of features, the S85F supports the full suite of HDMI 2.1 functionality, including 120Hz refresh rate and VRR. As a result, it is well-suited for gaming, as it ensures smoother gameplay without screen tearing during fast-action sequences. For console users especially, this setup works well and doesn’t feel limited in everyday use.
The main reason to consider this model is price. If you want QD-OLED without stretching your budget too much, this is worth considering.
5. Panasonic Z85 OLED TV
The Panasonic Z85 focuses on a slightly different audience. Instead of pushing picture performance to the limit, it tries to offer a more complete experience out of the box. The display still delivers solid OLED-level contrast and black levels, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on the core benefits.
One of the main highlights of this TV is the high-quality sound. Unlike most TVs in this range, the built-in speakers are actually good enough for regular use. You don’t immediately feel the need to add a soundbar, which can save extra cost and setup effort. For many users, that makes a practical difference.
It also supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which gives you more flexibility depending on what you watch. That’s something not all TVs offer, and it helps ensure compatibility across different platforms.
Compared to Samsung and LG models, it feels a bit less dynamic, especially in bright scenes. It’s also not as widely recommended in top-tier rankings, which affects its positioning here. Still, if you want a simple setup with good sound and reliable picture quality, this TV does its job well without overcomplicating things.
Ahead of this year’s World Cup, Amnesty International warned that millions of fans attending the tournament are at risk of attacks on their human rights, especially in the United States. The organization added that the tournament, which will also be held in Mexico and Canada, could take place amid severe restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
In a report titled “Humanity Must Win: Defending Rights, Tackling Repression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Amnesty outlines a range of risks faced by fans, players, locals, and media attending the tournament in its three host countries.
In the US, where three-quarters of the World Cup matches will be played, the report finds there is a “human rights emergency” characterized by racial profiling and mass detentions by agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“This World Cup is far from the ‘medium risk’ tournament that FIFA once judged it to be,” the organization wrote. “The joy that fans hope to experience over a six-week celebration of football is overshadowed by the reality of violent arrests, mass detention,” and other abuses.
Earlier this year, then-acting ICE director Todd Lyons said ICE would be a “key part” of security during the World Cup. Since then, the extent of ICE’s role has not been fully clarified. But in May, Department of Homeland Security officials told NBC News that ICE is offering its personnel to local police departments to help with security during World Cup matches.
Amnesty International’s report indicates that in Mexico federal authorities have announced the deployment of around 100,000 security agents, including members of the army, in response to high levels of violence. According to Amnesty, this decision increases the risk for those demonstrating, including a movement of searching mothers who have planned peaceful protests in the vicinity of the Banorte Stadium (formerly Azteca Stadium) in Mexico City to demand transparency, justice, and reparations for the 133,500 disappearances registered in the country. This initiative is expected to be joined by other mobilizations during the tournament, linked to access to land, water, housing, and criticism of gentrification.
In Canada, the report notes, there are fears that the country’s housing woes will lead to unhoused populations in host cities like Toronto being displaced by World Cup activities.
When Amnesty released its report in March, the organization claimed only four of the 16 host cities had published plans for the protection of human rights during the tournament. It recommended that host cities avoid the use of military forces in civilian security tasks and stressed that local authorities should ensure that World Cup events and venues were not subject to immigration raids.
This story originally appeared onWIRED en Españoland has been translated from Spanish.
Ahead of this year’s World Cup, Amnesty International warned that millions of fans attending the tournament are at risk of attacks on their human rights, especially in the United States. The organization added that the tournament, which will also be held in Mexico and Canada, could take place amid severe restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
In a report titled “Humanity Must Win: Defending Rights, Tackling Repression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Amnesty outlines a range of risks faced by fans, players, locals, and media attending the tournament in its three host countries.
In the US, where three-quarters of the World Cup matches will be played, the report finds there is a “human rights emergency” characterized by racial profiling and mass detentions by agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“This World Cup is far from the ‘medium risk’ tournament that FIFA once judged it to be,” the organization wrote. “The joy that fans hope to experience over a six-week celebration of football is overshadowed by the reality of violent arrests, mass detention,” and other abuses.
Earlier this year, then-acting ICE director Todd Lyons said ICE would be a “key part” of security during the World Cup. Since then, the extent of ICE’s role has not been fully clarified. But in May, Department of Homeland Security officials told NBC News that ICE is offering its personnel to local police departments to help with security during World Cup matches.
Amnesty International’s report indicates that in Mexico federal authorities have announced the deployment of around 100,000 security agents, including members of the army, in response to high levels of violence. According to Amnesty, this decision increases the risk for those demonstrating, including a movement of searching mothers who have planned peaceful protests in the vicinity of the Banorte Stadium (formerly Azteca Stadium) in Mexico City to demand transparency, justice, and reparations for the 133,500 disappearances registered in the country. This initiative is expected to be joined by other mobilizations during the tournament, linked to access to land, water, housing, and criticism of gentrification.
In Canada, the report notes, there are fears that the country’s housing woes will lead to unhoused populations in host cities like Toronto being displaced by World Cup activities.
When Amnesty released its report in March, the organization claimed only four of the 16 host cities had published plans for the protection of human rights during the tournament. It recommended that host cities avoid the use of military forces in civilian security tasks and stressed that local authorities should ensure that World Cup events and venues were not subject to immigration raids.
This story originally appeared onWIRED en Españoland has been translated from Spanish.
#Amnesty #International #Warns #World #Cup #Fans #Face #Potential #Human #Rights #Violationssports,world cup 2026,security,immigration">Amnesty International Warns That World Cup Fans Face Potential Human Rights Violations
Ahead of this year’s World Cup, Amnesty International warned that millions of fans attending the tournament are at risk of attacks on their human rights, especially in the United States. The organization added that the tournament, which will also be held in Mexico and Canada, could take place amid severe restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
In a report titled “Humanity Must Win: Defending Rights, Tackling Repression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Amnesty outlines a range of risks faced by fans, players, locals, and media attending the tournament in its three host countries.
In the US, where three-quarters of the World Cup matches will be played, the report finds there is a “human rights emergency” characterized by racial profiling and mass detentions by agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“This World Cup is far from the ‘medium risk’ tournament that FIFA once judged it to be,” the organization wrote. “The joy that fans hope to experience over a six-week celebration of football is overshadowed by the reality of violent arrests, mass detention,” and other abuses.
Earlier this year, then-acting ICE director Todd Lyons said ICE would be a “key part” of security during the World Cup. Since then, the extent of ICE’s role has not been fully clarified. But in May, Department of Homeland Security officials told NBC News that ICE is offering its personnel to local police departments to help with security during World Cup matches.
Amnesty International’s report indicates that in Mexico federal authorities have announced the deployment of around 100,000 security agents, including members of the army, in response to high levels of violence. According to Amnesty, this decision increases the risk for those demonstrating, including a movement of searching mothers who have planned peaceful protests in the vicinity of the Banorte Stadium (formerly Azteca Stadium) in Mexico City to demand transparency, justice, and reparations for the 133,500 disappearances registered in the country. This initiative is expected to be joined by other mobilizations during the tournament, linked to access to land, water, housing, and criticism of gentrification.
In Canada, the report notes, there are fears that the country’s housing woes will lead to unhoused populations in host cities like Toronto being displaced by World Cup activities.
When Amnesty released its report in March, the organization claimed only four of the 16 host cities had published plans for the protection of human rights during the tournament. It recommended that host cities avoid the use of military forces in civilian security tasks and stressed that local authorities should ensure that World Cup events and venues were not subject to immigration raids.
This story originally appeared onWIRED en Españoland has been translated from Spanish.
Size: 33 mm (21 mm when folded) H x 122 mm (66 mm when folded) D x 57 mm W
Weight: 79 grams
Colors: Graphite, off-white, lilac, sand
Battery: One-minute charge provides 22 hours of use, full charge provides one month of use
It folds down small enough to comfortably fit in your pocket.Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable
Mobi Fold first impressions
I received a Mobi Fold ahead of its launch, and have been using it for a couple of weeks. It’s not my go-to while working at my desk in my home office (that’s Logitech’s Signature Comfort Plus M850 L), but I do think it’s a fun solution for people who don’t work in one location.
Mashable Light Speed
The design doesn’t scream comfort at first glance, but it’s actually pretty ergonomic and comfortable to use. It tracks very well, even on different surfaces like a coffee shop table or even a pant leg. The touch controls are responsive as well — though I’ve found the scrolling to be a little sensitive, often scrolling the entire length of a page when I’m trying to go line by line.
As with other Logitech products, the Mobi Fold can pair with up to three devices, with a button to switch between them. You’re also able to customize two buttons on the touch panel in the Logi Options+ app, which is pretty cool. They’re defaulted to go backward and forward on a webpage, but you could program them, for example, to copy and paste text.
As someone who works from home and doesn’t like to stray from my desk, I don’t know that I’d buy the Mobi Fold. But for people who work during their commute or like to move around throughout the day, this is a great alternative to carrying a bulky mouse in their bag. Plus, it’s just such a fun concept, and I find myself fidgeting with the mouse, folding and unfolding it while I work.
Where to buy the Mobi Fold
At launch in the U.S., Mobi Fold is exclusively available on Logitech.com and in the TikTok Shop through July 8. In Canada, it’s available on Logitech.com and other retailers beginning June 10.
Size: 33 mm (21 mm when folded) H x 122 mm (66 mm when folded) D x 57 mm W
Weight: 79 grams
Colors: Graphite, off-white, lilac, sand
Battery: One-minute charge provides 22 hours of use, full charge provides one month of use
It folds down small enough to comfortably fit in your pocket.Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable
Mobi Fold first impressions
I received a Mobi Fold ahead of its launch, and have been using it for a couple of weeks. It’s not my go-to while working at my desk in my home office (that’s Logitech’s Signature Comfort Plus M850 L), but I do think it’s a fun solution for people who don’t work in one location.
Mashable Light Speed
The design doesn’t scream comfort at first glance, but it’s actually pretty ergonomic and comfortable to use. It tracks very well, even on different surfaces like a coffee shop table or even a pant leg. The touch controls are responsive as well — though I’ve found the scrolling to be a little sensitive, often scrolling the entire length of a page when I’m trying to go line by line.
As with other Logitech products, the Mobi Fold can pair with up to three devices, with a button to switch between them. You’re also able to customize two buttons on the touch panel in the Logi Options+ app, which is pretty cool. They’re defaulted to go backward and forward on a webpage, but you could program them, for example, to copy and paste text.
As someone who works from home and doesn’t like to stray from my desk, I don’t know that I’d buy the Mobi Fold. But for people who work during their commute or like to move around throughout the day, this is a great alternative to carrying a bulky mouse in their bag. Plus, it’s just such a fun concept, and I find myself fidgeting with the mouse, folding and unfolding it while I work.
Where to buy the Mobi Fold
At launch in the U.S., Mobi Fold is exclusively available on Logitech.com and in the TikTok Shop through July 8. In Canada, it’s available on Logitech.com and other retailers beginning June 10.
#Logitech #introduces #Mobi #Fold #foldable #mouse #major #flip #phone #vibes">Logitech introduces Mobi Fold, a foldable mouse with major flip phone vibes
Table of Contents
Since the work-from-home shift in 2020, Logitech has been releasing more products with a mobility focus. We love the Casa Pop-Up Desk that was released a couple of years ago. And now, the brand has introduced a computer mouse for modern work with a nod to nostalgic tech. The Logitech Mobi Fold is a pocket-sized mouse that folds up for incredibly easy transportation. It’s also so fun to fold and unfold — reminiscent of snapping a flip phone shut.
Size: 33 mm (21 mm when folded) H x 122 mm (66 mm when folded) D x 57 mm W
Weight: 79 grams
Colors: Graphite, off-white, lilac, sand
Battery: One-minute charge provides 22 hours of use, full charge provides one month of use
It folds down small enough to comfortably fit in your pocket.Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable
Mobi Fold first impressions
I received a Mobi Fold ahead of its launch, and have been using it for a couple of weeks. It’s not my go-to while working at my desk in my home office (that’s Logitech’s Signature Comfort Plus M850 L), but I do think it’s a fun solution for people who don’t work in one location.
Mashable Light Speed
The design doesn’t scream comfort at first glance, but it’s actually pretty ergonomic and comfortable to use. It tracks very well, even on different surfaces like a coffee shop table or even a pant leg. The touch controls are responsive as well — though I’ve found the scrolling to be a little sensitive, often scrolling the entire length of a page when I’m trying to go line by line.
As with other Logitech products, the Mobi Fold can pair with up to three devices, with a button to switch between them. You’re also able to customize two buttons on the touch panel in the Logi Options+ app, which is pretty cool. They’re defaulted to go backward and forward on a webpage, but you could program them, for example, to copy and paste text.
As someone who works from home and doesn’t like to stray from my desk, I don’t know that I’d buy the Mobi Fold. But for people who work during their commute or like to move around throughout the day, this is a great alternative to carrying a bulky mouse in their bag. Plus, it’s just such a fun concept, and I find myself fidgeting with the mouse, folding and unfolding it while I work.
Where to buy the Mobi Fold
At launch in the U.S., Mobi Fold is exclusively available on Logitech.com and in the TikTok Shop through July 8. In Canada, it’s available on Logitech.com and other retailers beginning June 10.
After stumbling through its first launch of an AI-imbued Siri, Apple is trying again. The newly upgraded Siri AI can chat with you about what might be killing the roses in your yard, put together a shopping list for the hardware store, and set a reminder to lay down some compost in that flower bed. It can reference information in your email and calendar to make its recommendations or provide an actually helpful answer to the question: “When should I leave for the airport?” And yes, it can even add a list of events from an email to your calendar. I tried all of these scenarios out for myself and I saw it happen. AI Siri is for real this time.
This is like, baby’s first AI assistant stuff, but it’s huge that it actually works.
Honestly Bun Mee is my go-to, so this is a good call.
But it’s also a pretty basic set of features for an AI assistant in 2026, particularly if you compare it to what Gemini has been doing on Android for the past couple of years. Google’s chatbot has been able to add multiple calendar events from a screenshot for at least a year at this point. It’s been diagnosing plant problems and scheduling maintenance reminders for months now, if not longer. New Siri is built on Gemini models, so it makes a lot of sense that the first iteration of Siri AI feels a little bit “Gemini, circa 2025.”
Siri AI has its own flavor, though. Apple has a lot of proprietary stuff going on under the hood and in the cloud. It draws from an on-device pool of data that’s gleaned from things like email and messages. This information is indexed so Siri can tap into the relevant bits when needed. Prompts that can’t be handled fully on device are sent to Apple’s Private Cloud Compute with only the relevant pieces of personal data attached. Gemini handles personal context differently; you opt into sharing your Gmail or calendar, and then it’ll go directly to those sources to get the information when needed.
Siri AI working well depends a lot on the AI understanding context. So far, it’s doing pretty well. I asked it when I needed to return some camera gear I rented for WWDC, and it found the information from a calendar event I’d made and in an email (it’s due back Friday, for the record). Likewise, prompting it with something like “add these events to my calendar” will consistently trigger it to reference the information on my screen. So far, so good.
I couldn’t get Siri to engage in any shenanigans — I didn’t exactly stress test it, but the guardrails were strong enough to return a curt “I can’t help you with that” to a shady prompt. Fair. As a conversationalist, new Siri also seems a bit more dispassionate than Gemini. I gave them both the same prompt asking why the flowers in front of my house seemed to be wilting. They both gave wordy responses with a lot of possible causes, but Gemini’s started with “That is incredibly frustrating…” where Siri was more direct and got right into diagnosing the situation.
Siri AI’s response to my question gets to the point quicker.
Gemini sends its sympathies.
The new Siri handled my follow-up requests well, too. I asked it to recommend a garden center “near home” and it came up with a good suggestion. It also created a new reminder list with some checklist items for my garden rehab project and added a calendar event, all from a single prompt. Pretty basic stuff, but this is Siri. The fact that it works at all is a step forward that’s been years in the making.
New Siri pops up in a lot of places on the iPhone. I’ve gotten into the habit of swiping down on the homescreen and using search to get to apps, and every time I do there’s a big prompt to “search or ask” with a glowing, blinking cursor. Long pressing the wake button summons Siri from the Dynamic Island now, too, rather than presenting it as a glowing border around the screen. The changes all add up to a subtle feeling that you’re never very far away from Siri.
The changes all add up to a subtle feeling that you’re never very far away from Siri
This iteration of Siri feels like the AI assistant you’d build if you knew you couldn’t screw it up. It supports a pretty basic set of features — it’s not out here DoorDashing your burritos for you — but it actually does what’s advertised. For the company that made big promises of Siri two years ago that never materialized, that’s a big deal. “It works” and “It will actually ship to customers” are the two targets that Apple couldn’t miss here. It’s only in a developer beta now, but it’s realer than the first AI Siri we were shown at WWDC ever was. Apple needs this version of Siri to earn back trust. And based on what I’ve seen so far, this looks like a small step toward getting that trust back.
Photography by Allison Johnson / The Verge
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After stumbling through its first launch of an AI-imbued Siri, Apple is trying again. The newly upgraded Siri AI can chat with you about what might be killing the roses in your yard, put together a shopping list for the hardware store, and set a reminder to lay down some compost in that flower bed. It can reference information in your email and calendar to make its recommendations or provide an actually helpful answer to the question: “When should I leave for the airport?” And yes, it can even add a list of events from an email to your calendar. I tried all of these scenarios out for myself and I saw it happen. AI Siri is for real this time.
This is like, baby’s first AI assistant stuff, but it’s huge that it actually works.
Honestly Bun Mee is my go-to, so this is a good call.
But it’s also a pretty basic set of features for an AI assistant in 2026, particularly if you compare it to what Gemini has been doing on Android for the past couple of years. Google’s chatbot has been able to add multiple calendar events from a screenshot for at least a year at this point. It’s been diagnosing plant problems and scheduling maintenance reminders for months now, if not longer. New Siri is built on Gemini models, so it makes a lot of sense that the first iteration of Siri AI feels a little bit “Gemini, circa 2025.”
Siri AI has its own flavor, though. Apple has a lot of proprietary stuff going on under the hood and in the cloud. It draws from an on-device pool of data that’s gleaned from things like email and messages. This information is indexed so Siri can tap into the relevant bits when needed. Prompts that can’t be handled fully on device are sent to Apple’s Private Cloud Compute with only the relevant pieces of personal data attached. Gemini handles personal context differently; you opt into sharing your Gmail or calendar, and then it’ll go directly to those sources to get the information when needed.
Siri AI working well depends a lot on the AI understanding context. So far, it’s doing pretty well. I asked it when I needed to return some camera gear I rented for WWDC, and it found the information from a calendar event I’d made and in an email (it’s due back Friday, for the record). Likewise, prompting it with something like “add these events to my calendar” will consistently trigger it to reference the information on my screen. So far, so good.
I couldn’t get Siri to engage in any shenanigans — I didn’t exactly stress test it, but the guardrails were strong enough to return a curt “I can’t help you with that” to a shady prompt. Fair. As a conversationalist, new Siri also seems a bit more dispassionate than Gemini. I gave them both the same prompt asking why the flowers in front of my house seemed to be wilting. They both gave wordy responses with a lot of possible causes, but Gemini’s started with “That is incredibly frustrating…” where Siri was more direct and got right into diagnosing the situation.
Siri AI’s response to my question gets to the point quicker.
Gemini sends its sympathies.
The new Siri handled my follow-up requests well, too. I asked it to recommend a garden center “near home” and it came up with a good suggestion. It also created a new reminder list with some checklist items for my garden rehab project and added a calendar event, all from a single prompt. Pretty basic stuff, but this is Siri. The fact that it works at all is a step forward that’s been years in the making.
New Siri pops up in a lot of places on the iPhone. I’ve gotten into the habit of swiping down on the homescreen and using search to get to apps, and every time I do there’s a big prompt to “search or ask” with a glowing, blinking cursor. Long pressing the wake button summons Siri from the Dynamic Island now, too, rather than presenting it as a glowing border around the screen. The changes all add up to a subtle feeling that you’re never very far away from Siri.
The changes all add up to a subtle feeling that you’re never very far away from Siri
This iteration of Siri feels like the AI assistant you’d build if you knew you couldn’t screw it up. It supports a pretty basic set of features — it’s not out here DoorDashing your burritos for you — but it actually does what’s advertised. For the company that made big promises of Siri two years ago that never materialized, that’s a big deal. “It works” and “It will actually ship to customers” are the two targets that Apple couldn’t miss here. It’s only in a developer beta now, but it’s realer than the first AI Siri we were shown at WWDC ever was. Apple needs this version of Siri to earn back trust. And based on what I’ve seen so far, this looks like a small step toward getting that trust back.
Photography by Allison Johnson / The Verge
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Allison Johnson
#Siri #worksAI,Apple,Hands-on,Reviews,Tech,WWDC 2026">I tried Siri AI, and so far it actually works
Parents want one thing, and one thing only, out of AI: to add a list of soccer games or “spirit week” theme days from an email or a poorly formatted flyer onto their calendar in one shot. And I have good news for parents with iPhones — the new Siri can finally do this.
After stumbling through its first launch of an AI-imbued Siri, Apple is trying again. The newly upgraded Siri AI can chat with you about what might be killing the roses in your yard, put together a shopping list for the hardware store, and set a reminder to lay down some compost in that flower bed. It can reference information in your email and calendar to make its recommendations or provide an actually helpful answer to the question: “When should I leave for the airport?” And yes, it can even add a list of events from an email to your calendar. I tried all of these scenarios out for myself and I saw it happen. AI Siri is for real this time.
This is like, baby’s first AI assistant stuff, but it’s huge that it actually works.
Honestly Bun Mee is my go-to, so this is a good call.
But it’s also a pretty basic set of features for an AI assistant in 2026, particularly if you compare it to what Gemini has been doing on Android for the past couple of years. Google’s chatbot has been able to add multiple calendar events from a screenshot for at least a year at this point. It’s been diagnosing plant problems and scheduling maintenance reminders for months now, if not longer. New Siri is built on Gemini models, so it makes a lot of sense that the first iteration of Siri AI feels a little bit “Gemini, circa 2025.”
Siri AI has its own flavor, though. Apple has a lot of proprietary stuff going on under the hood and in the cloud. It draws from an on-device pool of data that’s gleaned from things like email and messages. This information is indexed so Siri can tap into the relevant bits when needed. Prompts that can’t be handled fully on device are sent to Apple’s Private Cloud Compute with only the relevant pieces of personal data attached. Gemini handles personal context differently; you opt into sharing your Gmail or calendar, and then it’ll go directly to those sources to get the information when needed.
Siri AI working well depends a lot on the AI understanding context. So far, it’s doing pretty well. I asked it when I needed to return some camera gear I rented for WWDC, and it found the information from a calendar event I’d made and in an email (it’s due back Friday, for the record). Likewise, prompting it with something like “add these events to my calendar” will consistently trigger it to reference the information on my screen. So far, so good.
I couldn’t get Siri to engage in any shenanigans — I didn’t exactly stress test it, but the guardrails were strong enough to return a curt “I can’t help you with that” to a shady prompt. Fair. As a conversationalist, new Siri also seems a bit more dispassionate than Gemini. I gave them both the same prompt asking why the flowers in front of my house seemed to be wilting. They both gave wordy responses with a lot of possible causes, but Gemini’s started with “That is incredibly frustrating…” where Siri was more direct and got right into diagnosing the situation.
Siri AI’s response to my question gets to the point quicker.
Gemini sends its sympathies.
The new Siri handled my follow-up requests well, too. I asked it to recommend a garden center “near home” and it came up with a good suggestion. It also created a new reminder list with some checklist items for my garden rehab project and added a calendar event, all from a single prompt. Pretty basic stuff, but this is Siri. The fact that it works at all is a step forward that’s been years in the making.
New Siri pops up in a lot of places on the iPhone. I’ve gotten into the habit of swiping down on the homescreen and using search to get to apps, and every time I do there’s a big prompt to “search or ask” with a glowing, blinking cursor. Long pressing the wake button summons Siri from the Dynamic Island now, too, rather than presenting it as a glowing border around the screen. The changes all add up to a subtle feeling that you’re never very far away from Siri.
The changes all add up to a subtle feeling that you’re never very far away from Siri
This iteration of Siri feels like the AI assistant you’d build if you knew you couldn’t screw it up. It supports a pretty basic set of features — it’s not out here DoorDashing your burritos for you — but it actually does what’s advertised. For the company that made big promises of Siri two years ago that never materialized, that’s a big deal. “It works” and “It will actually ship to customers” are the two targets that Apple couldn’t miss here. It’s only in a developer beta now, but it’s realer than the first AI Siri we were shown at WWDC ever was. Apple needs this version of Siri to earn back trust. And based on what I’ve seen so far, this looks like a small step toward getting that trust back.
Photography by Allison Johnson / The Verge
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
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