Siri Gets a Makeover: Personalize Her Tone and Tempo in the New iOS 27 Beta!
In the latest developer beta of iOS 27, Apple is previewing new features for its AI-driven Siri, allowing testers to modify the speed and expressiveness of the assistant’s voice. The third beta version, released today, has introduced controls for “Pace” and “Expressivity,” which were marked as “Coming soon” in earlier beta versions.
This enhancement is part of Apple’s initiative to create a more natural and personalized experience with Siri, aligning it closer to generative AI technologies. Customizing the voice of AI assistants is crucial for fostering a connection between users and emerging technologies, similar to offerings from competitors like ChatGPT.
However, ChatGPT goes a step further with its voice customization options, enabling users to modify aspects such as warmth and enthusiasm. These features were introduced in December 2025, alongside settings for adjusting tone and style, allowing users to choose whether the assistant appears friendly, professional, candid, or quirky. This flexibility affects not only the way ChatGPT speaks but also how it presents information to users.
Originally introduced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 26) in June, Siri’s new voice controls enable users to personalize their interaction beyond merely selecting a male or female voice. Beta testers can now choose from a variety of voices with different accents and use sliders to control the speed and emotional tone of Siri’s speech.
As users make these adjustments, Siri will demonstrate various phrases, such as “You have one new message,” allowing them to hear the differences in voice quality and expression.
The AI-enhanced Siri is seamlessly integrated across the newest version of iOS, allowing iPhone users to initiate conversations by speaking, swiping down from the Dynamic Island at the top of the screen, typing, using the side button, or even through a newly introduced stand-alone Siri application.
Additionally, several minor updates accompany the iOS 27 beta 3 release, including a refreshed icon for the Reminders app. It is worth noting that some users have reported issues such as losing new Siri functionalities after the update or a reindexing of their data, which typically occurs when optimizing Siri’s AI for search.
