Apple released iOS 27 developer beta 3 on July 6, 2026, enabling two new voice customization controls for its AI-powered Siri: “Pace” and “Expressivity.” The sliders, which had been visible but marked “Coming soon” in earlier beta releases, allow users to adjust how quickly Siri speaks and how much human-like emotion its voice conveys.
The controls were first announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 26) in June 2026. Beyond the new sliders, beta testers can also choose from a range of voices with different accents. As users make adjustments, Siri will demonstrate the selected settings by saying common phrases such as “You have one new message.”
Apple says the update is part of a broader effort to make Siri feel more natural and personal as the company rebuilds the assistant around generative AI. The AI version of Siri is deeply integrated into iOS 27, allowing users to interact with it by speaking, swiping down from the Dynamic Island and typing, pressing the phone’s side button, or using a new stand-alone Siri app.
By comparison, ChatGPT’s voice customization options currently go further. OpenAI rolled out controls for warmth and enthusiasm in December 2025, along with options to set a base style and tone — including friendly, professional, candid, or quirky — adjustments that affect not only how the assistant speaks but also how it presents information.
Beta 3 also includes smaller changes, such as an updated Reminders app icon. Apple has acknowledged that some users are reporting lost access to the new Siri after updating, or seeing their device restart data indexing — typically the first step in optimizing Siri AI for search.
The new voice controls are currently available only to developers enrolled in the iOS 27 beta program.
Source: TechCrunch