Apple Unlocks Pace and Expressivity Sliders in iOS 27 Beta 3 as It Rebuilds Siri Around Generative AI Though ChatGPT’s Voice Controls Still Go Further
According to TechCrunch, Apple has enabled two new voice customisation controls in iOS 27 developer beta 3; Pace and Expressivity that were previously greyed out and labelled “Coming soon” in earlier releases.
The update allows iPhone users to choose from a range of Siri voices with different accents and then use sliders to control how quickly the AI speaks and how much human-like emotion its voice conveys. As users make adjustments, Siri will demo the settings by saying a sample phrase; “You have one new message”, so they can hear the change in real time.
The move is part of Apple’s broader strategy to rebuild Siri from the ground up on generative AI foundations, first unveiled at WWDC 2026 in June. The AI version of Siri is now accessible by speaking, swiping down from the Dynamic Island, tapping the side button, or using a new stand-alone Siri app built into iOS 27.
However, ChatGPT’s voice AI already goes further; its December 2025 update introduced controls for warmth, enthusiasm, tone and style, shaping not just how the assistant sounds but also how it presents information and its overall personality.
Apple is building the right foundation. Whether Siri with better pronunciation and pacing becomes truly useful depends on what the AI underneath it can actually do which is still catching up.
Check out our previous coverage of Apple, iOS and AI voice technology on The Trusted Times.
