Apple's iOS 27 beta lets you customize Siri's pace and expressivity

Apple has released iOS 27 developer beta 3, giving testers early access to customizable Siri voice controls. The 'Pace' and 'Expressivity' sliders, first teased at WWDC 26, are now functional. Users can choose from a range of voices with different accents, then fine-tune how slowly or quickly Siri speaks and how much human-like emotion it conveys. As adjustments are made, Siri demonstrates by speaking sample phrases like 'You have one new message.' This upgrade is part of Apple's broader effort to rebuild Siri around generative AI, making it feel more natural and personal.

While Apple's new controls let users adjust speech speed and emotional tone, OpenAI's ChatGPT already offers even deeper customization—including warmth, enthusiasm, and overall style (e.g., friendly, professional, candid). The AI-powered Siri is deeply integrated across iOS 27: users can activate it by speaking, swiping down from the Dynamic Island, tapping the side button, or using the new standalone Siri app. The beta also includes minor updates like a refreshed Reminders app icon. However, some testers on X report losing Siri access or seeing their phones re-index data after updating—a typical step for AI optimization.