Siri in iOS 27 beta: customize pace and expressivity controls

Apple has enabled new voice controls for Siri in iOS 27 developer beta 3, released on July 6, 2026. The update unlocks sliders labeled Pace and Expressivity and expands voice options so testers can adjust how quickly Siri speaks and how much human-like emotion its voice conveys.

What changed in iOS 27 beta 3?

In iOS 27 developer beta 3, Apple turned on two previously labeled "Coming soon" controls: Pace and Expressivity. Testers can switch between a range of voices with different accents, then use sliders to change speaking speed and the degree of emotion; as changes are made Siri practices common lines so users can preview the results.

The beta lets Siri practice saying sample phrases such as "You have one new message," so users hear the effect of their adjustments. The AI version of Siri is integrated across the updated iOS, and can be invoked by speaking, by swiping down from the Dynamic Island and typing, by tapping the phone’s side button, or by using the stand-alone Siri app that Apple added to the platform.

Other small changes in beta 3 include an updated Reminders app icon. The update has caused some testers on X to report losing access to the new Siri after updating or seeing their phones begin reindexing data, the latter typically the first step in optimizing Siri AI for search.

How does Apple’s Siri customization compare to ChatGPT?

Apple’s sliders for Pace and Expressivity provide direct voice-level controls, while ChatGPT’s voice options previously rolled out broader style and tone settings in December 2025. OpenAI added the ability to adjust warmth and enthusiasm in December 2025, alongside options to configure base style and tone so the assistant can be more friendly, professional, candid, or quirky.

That difference shows up in scope: Apple’s iOS 27 beta 3 focuses on real-time voice parameters and accent choices, and gives a live preview as users move sliders. By contrast, ChatGPT’s December 2025 changes affect both how the assistant speaks and how it presents information, altering conversational style as well as prosody.

Apple first introduced the AI version of Siri at Worldwide Developers Conference, WWDC 26, in June. The Pace and Expressivity controls were shown as forthcoming in earlier developer beta releases and are now active in beta 3.

Why it matters

Giving end users control over speaking speed and expressivity makes voice assistants feel more personal and usable across contexts such as noisy environments, accessibility needs, or preference for concise responses. Enabling those settings in a broadly distributed beta signals Apple is prioritizing voice-level customization as part of its larger rebuild of Siri around generative AI. The comparison with ChatGPT’s December 2025 style controls shows a broader industry move to let people tune both tone and delivery.

What to watch

Watch for wider availability beyond developer beta 3 and for whether Apple exposes deeper style controls similar to ChatGPT’s base style and tone options. Also monitor reports from testers about reindexing or access problems after updating, which could indicate rollout issues as Apple tunes Siri’s AI integration.