# Anthropic Enables Opus and Sonnet in Claude Voice Mode

> The update routes advanced models to spoken conversations for stronger reasoning and tool integration, differing from the prior default while using a text-to-speech system.

*Published 2026-07-23 · By Marcus Vance*

Claude Voice Mode is Anthropic's interface for conducting spoken conversations with its Claude AI models.

Anthropic has updated its Claude Voice Mode to include support for the Opus and Sonnet models.

Previously the feature defaulted to the Haiku model.

## What does the model selector change mean for Claude users?

A model selector in the Voice Mode UI had been hidden or non-functional for roughly three weeks.

It always fell back to Haiku 4.5 during that period.

Now users can select Opus or Sonnet for their voice conversations.

## How do Opus and Sonnet perform in voice interactions compared to Haiku?

Opus and Sonnet enable stronger interruption handling.

The models pause on user speech and tolerate long silences.

They also support tool use via Connectors in voice conversations.

## What technical approach does Claude Voice Mode employ?

Voice Mode uses a conventional text-to-speech pipeline.

ElevenLabs reportedly powers the speech synthesis in the background.

It is not a speech-native model.

Claude models and their Voice Mode capabilitiesModelAvailability in Voice ModeInterruption HandlingTool Use SupportOpusSelectableStrongEnabled via ConnectorsSonnetSelectableStrongEnabled via ConnectorsHaikuPrevious defaultBasicLimitedFableSpotted in iOS buildNot specifiedNot specified

## What are the implications for the AI market and stakeholders?

Rivals such as OpenAI pursue native voice models.

Anthropic's approach leverages existing frontier models in voice settings.

This could affect how users engage with AI in spoken formats.

- Enhanced reasoning becomes available in voice conversations.
- Better management of conversational flow through interruptions.
- Integration of tools expands voice mode utility.

## How have observers reacted to the Voice Mode update?

> ANTHROPIC 🔥: Claude Opus and Sonnet models will soon become available on Claude Voice Mode! The new model selector has been hidden in the UI for roughly three weeks, defaulting to Haiku regardless of the selection. Today, it changed, and now it responds via Opus and Sonnet models. The system is still built on TTS; however, it handles interruptions super well and can operate Connectors!TestingCatalog, AI News Account

## What developments might follow for Claude Voice Mode?

Additional languages and features like push-to-talk were spotted in iOS builds.

The model selector options include Fable as well.

Further enhancements to voice capabilities are anticipated.

## Sources

1. [Anthropic updates Claude’s voice mode with support for Opus and Sonnet models in place of Haiku. Selecting Opus or Sonnet now routes voice conversations through those models rather than quietly falling back to Haiku. In testing, interruption handling held up: the model pauses the moment it hears you and resumes sensibly, and it tolerated long silences without cutting in early. The pipeline stays text-to-speech rather than a speech-native model. ElevenLabs in the background](https://www.testingcatalog.com/claude-voice-mode-to-get-opus-and-sonnet-model-options/)
2. [It is an option, spotted in the iOS build, that would let you choose which model orchestrates voice mode among Opus, Sonnet, Haiku and Fable. Claude Voice Mode: 18 Languages, Push-to-Talk and a Model Selector Spotted in iOS Build](https://pasqualepillitteri.it/en/news/5170/claude-voice-mode-18-languages-push-to-talk)
3. [ANTHROPIC 🔥: Claude Opus and Sonnet models will soon become available on Claude Voice Mode! The new model selector has been hidden in the UI for roughly three weeks, defaulting to Haiku regardless of the selection…](https://x.com/testingcatalog/status/2080083191830888807)

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Source: https://aiintelreport.com/frontier-models/anthropic-claude-voice-mode-opus-sonnet
Index: https://aiintelreport.com/llms.txt · Full text: https://aiintelreport.com/llms-full.txt