Apple has switched on two new Siri voice customization controls in iOS 27 beta 3, giving users hands-on tools to adjust how the AI assistant sounds for the first time. The “Pace” and “Expressivity” sliders — previously listed as “Coming soon” in earlier developer builds — are now fully functional in the beta released July 6, 2026, as confirmed by TechCrunch, 9to5Mac, and AppleInsider.
What Happened
iOS 27 beta 3 introduces two voice customization dials within Siri’s settings menu. Each slider offers five distinct adjustment levels: Pace controls how quickly Siri speaks, while Expressivity controls the emotional range and intonation of the voice. Both controls currently apply to the two available Siri voice options, with Apple expected to extend support to additional voices in future beta updates.
The experience is designed to be immediate and intuitive. As soon as a user begins moving a slider, Siri plays a continuous audio sample that updates in real time to reflect each change — meaning users can audition the result before committing. Once satisfied, they tap a checkmark in the top-right corner to save the selection. According to multiple sources, the settings apply not just to Siri itself, but also to turn-by-turn voice guidance in Apple Maps and text-to-speech reading in Safari.
Why It Matters
Voice has always been a surprisingly intimate interface. Unlike a touchscreen or keyboard, the tone and cadence of a voice assistant feel personal — and for years, AI assistants across the industry have given users almost no control over those qualities. Apple’s new controls represent a meaningful shift: instead of imposing a single official Siri voice on all users, the company is acknowledging that people have different preferences and different use contexts.
For users who rely on Siri for long-form audio tasks — navigation, text reading, hands-free messaging — the difference between a measured, slightly slower pace and a rapid-fire delivery can substantively affect usability and comfort. Similarly, a highly expressive voice may feel natural in casual conversation but intrusive during a work meeting. Giving users control over both dimensions is a genuine quality-of-life improvement, not merely a cosmetic feature.
The update also reflects Apple’s broader ambition to rebuild Siri around generative AI. The company has been significantly overhauling the assistant’s architecture since the launch of Apple Intelligence, and these voice controls are part of a push to make Siri feel less robotic and more contextually responsive. The upcoming iPhone Fold and future Apple hardware are all expected to ship with a more deeply integrated, generative AI-powered Siri at their core.
Background and Context
iOS 27 is Apple’s most AI-forward operating system update to date, incorporating a redesigned interface and deeper integration of Apple Intelligence across core apps. Beta 3, released to developers on July 6, also includes updates to Safari, improvements to the on-device AI trust framework, and expanded support for third-party app integrations with Siri. Apple is expected to release a public beta within the coming weeks, with the final version shipping alongside new iPhone hardware in the fall.
Hardware requirements introduce a notable caveat: the Pace and Expressivity voice controls will require an iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air, or newer device. That limitation places the feature out of reach for users on older models, reinforcing Apple’s pattern of using AI capabilities to differentiate its premium hardware lineup. Owners of the redesigned iPad Pro and MacBook Pro will also benefit from the updated Siri experience across those platforms when iOS 27 ships publicly.
What Comes Next
Apple is expected to introduce additional Siri voice options over the course of iOS 27’s beta cycle, and it remains to be seen whether Pace and Expressivity controls will extend to all available voices or remain limited to the current selection. Developers working with SiriKit and App Intents will also need to evaluate how voice customization interacts with third-party Siri integrations in their apps.
The update arrives as competitors continue pushing the boundaries of AI voice interaction. OpenAI’s Advanced Voice Mode and Google’s Gemini Live have raised the bar for conversational naturalness, putting pressure on Apple to deliver a Siri experience that feels genuinely competitive at the premium end of the market. The Pace and Expressivity controls are a step in that direction — but the real test will come when iOS 27 ships to hundreds of millions of users this fall.
