Apple's latest watchOS 27 update will not support five popular Apple Watch models, including the Series 6, 7, and 8, as well as the SE 2 and original Ultra. The company attributes this decision to the demanding hardware requirements of new Siri AI features that the excluded watches cannot meet.
- watchOS 27 skips five Apple Watch models due to hardware limits
- New Siri AI and tap gestures require Series 9 chip or later
- Older watches can still use Siri AI via paired iPhones
What happened
Apple released watchOS 27, the biggest software update for its Apple Watch platform in years. However, the update is not available for several recent models, notably the Series 6, 7, 8, SE 2, and the original Apple Watch Ultra. These watches will only receive basic security updates and will miss out on the new features introduced in watchOS 27.
According to Apple, the omission is due to the performance limitations of these older devices, which cannot fully support the new Siri AI enhancements or the new tap gesture controls. Only the Series 9, Ultra 2, and SE 3 models, which have newer hardware, are compatible with the update.
Why it matters
This marks a notable shift in Apple's long-standing practice of providing extensive software support across older devices. The decision highlights the growing impact of AI-driven features on hardware requirements, specifically the increased demand on processing power required to run enhanced Siri AI functionalities effectively.
For Apple Watch users, this means that even relatively recent models may become limited in functionality faster than anticipated, potentially influencing buying decisions toward newer models with upgraded chips like the S9, which enable these next-generation experiences.
What to watch next
Apple's approach with watchOS 27 may set a precedent for future updates that further leverage AI capabilities, possibly accelerating hardware obsolescence among wearables. Observers should monitor how this affects customer satisfaction and market dynamics within the smartwatch segment.
Additionally, Apple’s partial workaround allowing older watches to access Siri AI through a connected iPhone suggests a transitional strategy. It will be important to see if future updates expand this bridge or if users will eventually need to upgrade their watches to maintain full feature access.