With the release of iOS 27 developer beta 3, Apple has enabled controls that let testers adjust Siri's speaking pace and expressivity. These settings, marked as “Coming soon” in earlier developer betas, became available with the beta 3 update, which was noted in a July 6, 2026 tweet demonstrating the feature.
The addition is part of Apple's broader effort to make its generative-AI‑powered Siri feel more natural and personal. First shown at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2026) in June, the new controls go beyond the simple choice of a male or female-sounding assistant: beta testers can choose among several voices with different accents and then use sliders to change how slowly or quickly Siri speaks and how much human-like emotion its voice conveys.
When users adjust the sliders, Siri voices example phrases — for instance, “You have one new message” — so testers can immediately hear the effect of their changes. The AI version of Siri will be deeply integrated across the updated iOS: conversations can be started by speaking, by swiping down from the Dynamic Island at the top of the screen and typing, by tapping the phone’s side button, or by using the new standalone Siri app.
For context, competitors have already expanded voice customization in different ways. OpenAI rolled out the ability to adjust an assistant’s warmth and enthusiasm in December 2025, along with options to configure base style and tone; those settings affect not only how the assistant speaks but also how it presents information.
Other notes and user reports
iOS 27 beta 3 also includes smaller changes, such as an updated Reminders app icon. Some users on X have reported losing access to the new Siri after updating, or seeing their phones start reindexing their data — a process commonly associated with preparing devices for AI-powered search and assistant features.
In short: iOS 27 beta 3 introduces user-adjustable pace and expressivity sliders for Siri’s voice, marking a concrete step in Apple’s effort to personalize the assistant as it transitions to a generative-AI architecture.
