iOS 27 beta lets users customize Siri's pace and expressivity

Apple is giving testers an early look at one of the upcoming improvements to its AI-powered Siri: the ability to adjust how quickly and expressively the AI assistant speaks. In iOS 27 beta 3, out today, Apple has enabled the voice controls for 'Pace' and 'Expressivity' that were previously labeled as 'Coming soon' in the first developer beta releases. The update is part of Apple's broader effort to make Siri feel more natural and personal, as it rebuilds the assistant around generative AI.

Like ChatGPT and others offering voice AI assistants, letting users customize how the AI sounds is an important aspect in helping connect people with the new technology. However, ChatGPT's voice-customization options allow users to go even further, as the ability to adjust the AI's warmth and enthusiasm was rolled out in December 2025, alongside options to configure the base style and tone. The latter lets users adjust OpenAI's assistant to be more friendly, professional, candid, or quirky, among other styles.

This is reflected not only in how ChatGPT speaks, but also in how it presents information to the user. First introduced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 26) in June, Siri's voice controls let users personalize their Siri experience beyond just choosing a male- or female-sounding assistant. Now beta testers will be able to switch between a range of voices with different accents, and then use sliders to change how slowly or quickly Siri speaks and how much human-like emotion its voice conveys.

As you make the adjustments, Siri will practice saying some common things, like 'You have one new message,' so you can get a sense of how the different voices sound. The AI version of Siri is deeply integrated across the updated version of iOS, where it will allow iPhone owners to start conversations by speaking, swiping down from the Dynamic Island at the top of the screen and typing, tapping on the phone's side button, or even by using the brand-new stand-alone Siri app. Other, more minor updates are also rolling out with iOS 27 beta 3, including an updated Reminders app icon.

Some people on X are also reporting losing access to the new Siri after updating, or seeing their phone again begin indexing their data — typically, the first step in optimizing Siri AI for search. Why this matters: The ability to customize Siri's pace and expressivity marks a significant step towards making AI assistants more personal and user-friendly. As AI-powered assistants become increasingly prevalent, allowing users to tailor their experience will be crucial in driving adoption and satisfaction.

For developers, this means a greater emphasis on integrating AI-powered features in a way that feels natural and intuitive. For businesses, it highlights the importance of considering user experience when implementing AI-powered solutions. For consumers, it means a more personalized and engaging experience with their devices.