It has been nearly a year since Apple introduced Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024. Since then, Siri has undergone a visual overhaul with a new rainbow animation, text-to-Siri support, visual intelligence, and image generation. iOS 18 now includes features like Genmoji. However, crucial aspects like conversational abilities and contextual awareness are still lacking in Siri. In contrast, AI assistants like ChatGPT and Perplexity have made significant advancements. To determine which assistant deserves to be the primary voice assistant on the iPhone, I decided to test all three. Here are my findings.
I recommend watching the video below to witness all three assistants in action for a better understanding of accuracy and response time.
For this evaluation, I utilized the free versions of all three assistants to ensure accessibility for everyone. I had some initial assumptions going into the test:
– Siri might excel in app integrations.
– Perplexity could be a strong contender with real-time information and partial app support.
– ChatGPT might demonstrate superior intelligence but lack practical functionality on the iPhone.
Feel free to share your own assumptions in the comments below. Let’s dive into the comparison.
Basic Knowledge:
All three assistants handled simple questions effortlessly, such as identifying the president of France or converting Fahrenheit to Celsius. While Siri displayed responses visually, ChatGPT and Perplexity responded vocally. None of the assistants struggled with these queries, although I did not pose any follow-up questions.
Winner: Tie
Navigation and Local Search:
When asked to find a pet-friendly pizzeria nearby and navigate to it, Siri outperformed the other two assistants due to its seamless integration with Apple Maps. Perplexity provided a route map within its app and offered a one-tap option to open Apple Maps. In contrast, ChatGPT could not navigate as it lacked app integration.
Winner: Siri
Current Event Article Summarization:
In summarizing the latest 9to5mac article, Siri failed to provide a concise summary and only displayed a list of articles. ChatGPT and Perplexity both located the article and offered brief summaries, with Perplexity seeking confirmation before proceeding.
Winner: Perplexity
Real-World Problem Solving:
When tasked with assisting in a real-world scenario like fixing a flat tire, ChatGPT provided a detailed step-by-step solution, surpassing Perplexity and Siri, who struggled to offer practical guidance.
Winner: ChatGPT
Travel and Time Logic:
All three assistants provided suitable answers to a complex query about reaching cities within a specific time frame. However, Perplexity stood out by displaying a map with options and facilitating navigation.
Winner: Perplexity
App Integration and Utilities:
Siri demonstrated superior app integration capabilities, including opening both first- and third-party apps, sending messages, and triggering reminders. Perplexity could draft emails, play music via Apple Music, and open podcasts but lacked support for third-party apps. ChatGPT had no app integrations, leading to disqualification in this category.
Winner: Siri
Final Verdict:
The choice of AI assistant depends on your criteria. If you prioritize an assistant’s ability to execute tasks via voice commands, Siri is the clear winner. However, if you seek a conversational assistant with fact-based knowledge, ChatGPT may be more suitable. For now, I will continue using GPT as a Siri alternative. Stay tuned for further comparisons between Siri and other AI assistants.
Feel free to share your thoughts and preferences regarding AI assistants and Siri. Let me know if there are specific comparisons you would like to see in the future.
