Siri’s Pace and Expressivity Now Customizable in iOS 27 Beta

Apple officially enabled a feature allowing users to adjust Siri’s speaking speed (Pace) and expressiveness (Expressivity) in the third developer beta of iOS 27, released on July 6, 2026. This feature is part of the voice customization capabilities for Siri that were first announced at WWDC 2026. In the initial beta, it was marked as “Coming soon.”

This new functionality represents a significant step in Apple’s ongoing initiative to rebuild Siri using generative AI technology. Moving away from the traditional static voice options (male/female), the goal is to deliver a more natural and human-like conversational experience.

Specifications of Voice Customization

The voice customization feature enabled in iOS 27 beta 3 consists of two independent sliders. One slider, labeled “Pace,” allows users to continuously adjust Siri’s speaking speed, from slow to fast. The second, “Expressivity,” lets users set the degree of human-like emotional expression.

Additionally, users can choose from multiple voices with different accents, moving beyond traditional gender-based voice options to achieve more diverse voice profiles.

During the adjustment process, Siri reads sample phrases to allow users to fine-tune the settings while experiencing how it sounds. Phrases such as “You have one new message” are reportedly provided as examples.

Comparison with ChatGPT

OpenAI’s ChatGPT introduced voice customization features in December 2025, including adjustments for “Warmth” and “Enthusiasm.” Moreover, users can set base styles and tones, such as Friendly, Professional, Candid, or Quirky, affecting not only speech style but also the way information is presented.

Apple’s latest update for Siri seems to be influenced by these competitive features. However, Siri’s customization currently focuses on just two aspects: speed and expressiveness. It has yet to offer the multi-dimensional settings for style and tone that ChatGPT provides.

Siri Integration in iOS 27

The AI-enhanced Siri is deeply integrated into iOS 27. It can be activated through various methods, such as initiating voice conversations, swiping down from the Dynamic Island for text input, pressing and holding the side button, or using the newly introduced standalone Siri app.

These access points reflect Apple’s vision of an AI assistant seamlessly embedded throughout the device ecosystem. Siri is transitioning from a command-based response system to one capable of understanding context and engaging in conversational interactions.

Known Issues in the Beta Version

Some users on social media have reported issues following the update to iOS 27 beta 3, such as being unable to access the new Siri or experiencing device re-indexing of data. Data indexing is typically a temporary process aimed at optimizing Siri AI’s search functionality. Nevertheless, users should exercise caution regarding stability, as this is still a beta version.

In addition to the Siri update, beta 3 includes minor changes, such as updates to the Reminders app icon.

Editorial Opinion

In the short term, the activation of this feature in the beta version is expected to generate feedback from the developer community regarding Siri’s voice quality and customization capabilities. Apple’s ability to refine the feature before the official release will be a key evaluation point. With ChatGPT already offering advanced multi-axis customization, Siri’s differentiation will likely continue to hinge on privacy protection and seamless integration with Apple devices.

From a long-term perspective, the transformation of Siri into a generative AI-based assistant is a cornerstone of Apple’s ecosystem strategy. Enhancing voice customization is not just about improving usability but also about shifting Siri’s role from a “tool” to a “conversational partner.” Over the next one to three years, Apple’s ability to balance on-device AI with robust privacy safeguards will play a crucial role in distinguishing Siri from its competitors.

As an editorial team, we question how much the “naturalness” and “customizability” of voice assistants will truly alter user behavior and relationships with devices.

References

• You can now customize Siri’s pace and expressivity in the latest iOS 27 beta - TechCrunch — Published on 2026-07-06