watchOS 27: Apple explains the major change Apfelpatient

With watchOS 27, Apple is drawing an unusually clear line: Five Apple Watch models will be excluded and will only receive basic security updates in the future. Apple has now explained why the cut is so drastic this time – and which watches will receive the update along with its new features.

When Apple unveiled watchOS 27, one point in particular immediately sparked discussion: device support. The update brings the Apple Watch, among other things, a new app grid, an additional gesture, and smarter fitness features – but not for every model. With watchOS 27, Apple is discontinuing support for three generations of devices at once, a first for the product line. The company has now revealed the reasons for this decision.

These Apple Watch models are losing support

watchOS 27 will no longer run on the Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, and Series 8. The second-generation Apple Watch SE and the first Apple Watch Ultra are also excluded. These five models will only receive basic security updates going forward. Owners of newer watches, however, will receive the update.

Gets watchOS 27	No longer gets watchOS 27
Apple Watch SE (3rd generation)	Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 9	Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 10	Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 11	Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
Apple Watch Ultra 2	Apple Watch Ultra (1st generation)
Apple Watch Ultra 3

Apple justifies the move with performance

Cait Dooley, Apple's head of product marketing for Apple Watch and health, provided the background information in an interview with the tech magazine TechRadar. According to her, the best possible user experience is the top priority for every software update, which is why Apple prioritizes performance. The new features of watchOS 27 – including Siri AI capabilities and the new tap gesture – only reach their full potential with the processing power of the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, the Ultra 2 and later, and the SE 3. This year, that meant a reduction in compatibility. However, the update also brings noticeable performance improvements to the supported watches.

What older models can still do

Despite the end of watchOS updates, owners of older watches don't need to upgrade immediately. Dooley emphasized that the affected models can still be paired with an iPhone running the current software. The watches will also continue to receive security updates, ensuring they remain fully functional for everyday use.

More intelligence on the Apple Watch

David Clark, senior director of watchOS software development, describes a key goal of watchOS 27: to integrate the Apple Watch more closely into Apple's AI strategy and make it a true partner of Apple Intelligence. This is precisely the reason for the increased demands, as the AI-powered features require more processing power than the older chips can sustain.

For users in the EU, there is an important limitation: the new Siri AI features will not be available on the Apple Watch at launch. Since watchOS relies on the paired iPhone, and Siri AI is initially unavailable on the iPhone in the EU, Siri AI will also remain unavailable on the watch for the time being – one of several features that are not yet available in the EU.

What else watchOS 27 brings

In addition to Siri AI in the form of a dedicated app, watchOS 27 brings features such as a dynamic app grid and improvements to Workout Buddy. The update is currently available as a developer beta. A public beta is expected in July, with the final version released to everyone in the fall.

Apple Watch: An unusually deep cut

That Apple is removing three model years from the watchOS cycle with a single update is remarkable for the product line. This clearly reflects the Apple Watch's transformation from a fitness and notification device to an AI-powered platform: features like Siri AI simply require more processing power than the older models can consistently provide. For owners of affected watches, little will change in their daily routines initially – however, those who want to use the new features will need to upgrade to a newer model. Anyone considering an upgrade anyway might also want to keep an eye on the next generation of devices: rumors are already circulating about the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. (Image: Shutterstock / Hadrian)