Apple Adds Voice Customization to Siri in iOS 27 Beta

Apple has enabled new voice controls for its reimagined AI assistant in the latest iOS 27 developer beta, allowing testers to fine-tune how Siri sounds when it speaks. The features—Pace and Expressivity sliders—were previously marked as unavailable in earlier beta versions but are now live in beta 3, released today.

Customization Takes Center Stage#

The pace control lets users adjust how quickly or slowly Siri delivers responses, while the expressivity slider governs how much human-like emotion comes through in the voice. Beyond these new sliders, testers can also pick from multiple voice options with different accents, moving past the traditional male-or-female binary that defined earlier Siri incarnations.

As users adjust these settings, Siri reads sample phrases like "You have one new message" to help them hear the effect of their choices in real time.

Catching Up to Competitors#

Apple's approach mirrors similar moves by rival AI platforms. OpenAI rolled out deeper voice customization for ChatGPT last December, letting users dial in warmth, enthusiasm, and conversational tone (friendly, professional, candid, quirky, etc.). ChatGPT's customization also affects not just how the assistant sounds, but how it structures and presents information.

Apple's controls so far focus narrowly on voice delivery, signaling a more measured initial rollout compared to OpenAI's feature set.

Broader Integration Across iOS#

The updated Siri sits at the center of iOS 27 and can be invoked through multiple routes: spoken commands, swiping down from the Dynamic Island, typing after swiping, tapping the side button, or opening a new standalone Siri app. The changes stem from Apple's overhaul announced at WWDC 26 in June, which repositioned Siri as a generative AI–powered experience rather than a traditional voice assistant.

Known Issues#

Some beta testers have reported losing access to the new Siri after updating, while others have observed their devices re-indexing data—a typical precursor to Siri AI optimizing local search capabilities. Minor cosmetic updates, such as a redesigned Reminders app icon, also arrived with beta 3.