According to AppleInsider, investment firm Wedbush has raised its Apple price target from $310 to $320, a move initially driven by strong iPhone 17 sales in October 2025. The firm now believes a “sea change” for Apple Intelligence is coming in 2026, centered on an expected exclusive partnership with Google Gemini, which it predicts will be formally announced early next year. This shift coincides with key executive changes, including the departure of AI head John Giannandrea and the hiring of Amar Subramanya from Microsoft and Google’s DeepMind. Wedbush analysts, while admitting much is still unknown, think Apple now has a chance to accelerate its AI efforts after a confused start. They also expect CEO Tim Cook to stay until at least the end of 2027 to oversee this AI transition.
The Gemini Gamble
Here’s the thing: the idea of an “exclusive” Google Gemini partnership is fascinating, but also a bit confusing. OpenAI’s ChatGPT is already integrated into Apple Intelligence, so what does “exclusive” even mean here? Wedbush isn’t totally clear on it, but the implication is that Gemini might become the primary engine, more deeply embedded into the system. Maybe it even powers the core of the promised “Apple Intelligence-enhanced Siri” due in 2026. But let’s be real—Apple turning over Siri, a core system interface, entirely to a third-party like Google seems incredibly unlikely. That’s not how Apple operates. A more plausible scenario is a tiered or specialized system where Gemini handles certain complex queries or tasks that Apple’s own models can’t. It’s a hedge, basically.
The Outsider Advantage
Now, the executive shuffle might be the more telling part of this story. Wedbush is framing the hire of Amar Subramanya as Apple admitting it needs outside help to fix its AI plans. And they’re probably right. For years, Apple’s AI and Siri efforts have seemed siloed and slow compared to the breakneck pace of Google and OpenAI. Bringing in someone with deep experience from both Microsoft and DeepMind is a clear signal. It’s not just about getting new tech; it’s about importing a different culture and approach to development. This is where real change happens. A fresh perspective from outside the Cupertino bubble could be exactly what’s needed to untangle the internal complexities that have held Apple’s AI back.
Cook’s Final Mission
So, why does Wedbush think Tim Cook will stick around until late 2027? It makes perfect sense. Launching a successful, genuinely intelligent AI platform across billions of devices is arguably the defining challenge of Cook’s late tenure. He steered Apple into wearables and services masterfully, but AI is the next frontier. Walking away before this transition is complete would be like leaving the game in the fourth quarter. He’ll want to see it through, to cement his legacy and ensure the foundation is solid for whoever comes next. The next few years will determine if Apple Intelligence becomes a true platform or remains a marketing bullet point. That’s a legacy-defining project, and Cook knows it.
