When Apple unveiled watchOS 27 during its Worldwide Developers Conference last week, one of the most notable announcements was the significant shift in device compatibility. For the first time in several years, the company is dropping support for a substantial number of older Apple Watch models. This change has sparked discussions among users about the longevity of their devices and the future direction of the wearable platform.

Which Apple Watch models are losing support?

According to official compatibility lists published by Apple, watchOS 27 will not be available for the Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, and Series 8. Additionally, the second-generation Apple Watch SE and the original Apple Watch Ultra are also excluded. This means that users of these models will not be able to install the new operating system when it launches this fall. The list of dropped devices includes five distinct models, covering a range of release years from 2020 to 2022.

The Apple Watch Series 6 debuted in September 2020 with the S6 system-in-package chip. It introduced the blood oxygen sensor and an always-on altimeter. The Series 7 followed in 2021 with a larger display and faster charging, powered by the S7 chip. The Series 8 arrived in 2022 with the S8 chip, featuring a temperature sensor and car crash detection. The second-generation Apple Watch SE, launched in 2022 alongside the Series 8, offered a budget-friendly option with the S8 chip. The original Apple Watch Ultra, also released in 2022, was designed for extreme sports and adventure, equipped with the S8 chip and a titanium case.

All of these models share a common processor family that is now considered underpowered for the capabilities of watchOS 27. Apple’s decision to drop them aligns with a trend seen in other platforms, such as iOS and macOS, where older hardware is phased out as software demands increase.

Compatible models for watchOS 27

The watchOS 27 update will run on a narrower list of Apple Watch models. These include:

• Apple Watch Series 9 (2023, S9 chip)
• Apple Watch Series 10 (2024, S10 chip)
• Apple Watch Series 11 (2025, S11 chip)
• Apple Watch SE (3rd generation, 2025, S11 chip)
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023, S9 chip)
• Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025, S11 chip)

All of these devices are powered by chips from the S9 generation or later, which include a dedicated neural engine capable of on-device machine learning. This hardware capability is essential for the new Siri AI features introduced in watchOS 27.

Why Apple made this decision

In an interview, Apple’s Apple Watch and Health Product Marketing Manager, Cait Dooley, explained the reasoning behind the compatibility changes. She stated that the goal is to ensure every user has the best possible experience, which sometimes requires making difficult cuts. “With every software release across every single one of our platforms, we always want to ensure that you have the best experience, so we make power and performance a priority,” Dooley said. She specifically highlighted that the new features in watchOS 27, such as the capabilities of Siri AI and the new tap gesture, work best with the processing power found in Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Ultra 2 and later, and SE 3.

The reliance on newer chips is not new. In previous years, Apple has dropped support for older models when introducing hardware-intensive features. For instance, watchOS 10 required an Apple Watch Series 4 or later, and watchOS 9 dropped the original Apple Watch and Series 1. The pattern is clear: as the Apple Watch evolves into a more capable health and fitness device with advanced AI integration, older processors cannot keep up.

Dooley also emphasized that users with older Apple Watch models are not entirely left behind. “Older devices can still be paired with iPhones that are running the latest software and continue to receive security updates, so they can continue to have a great Apple Watch experience,” she noted. This means that while they won’t get the new features of watchOS 27, they will still receive critical security patches and remain functional for basic tasks like notifications, activity tracking, and timekeeping.

What new features does watchOS 27 bring?

watchOS 27 introduces several major new features that justify the hardware requirements. The most prominent is Siri AI, which now has a dedicated app on the Apple Watch. This marks a significant evolution of the voice assistant, moving beyond simple queries to proactive suggestions and contextual assistance. The Siri AI app can analyze user patterns, suggest workouts, remind about medications, and even recommend settings adjustments based on activity. It operates entirely on device for many tasks, ensuring privacy and speed.

Another noteworthy addition is the dynamic app grid. Previously, the grid layout was static; now it adapts based on usage frequency and context. Apps that the user opens most often will resize or reposition automatically, making navigation faster. This feature leverages the machine learning capabilites of the S9 and later chips.

Workout Buddy, a feature introduced in earlier versions, receives significant improvements in watchOS 27. The app now supports more comprehensive statistics for group activities, head-to-head competitions, and social motivation. Users can challenge friends to real-time fitness goals, with the watch providing haptic feedback and voice cues from Siri AI. This social aspect aligns with Apple’s push to make the Apple Watch a central hub for health and community.

Other enhancements include updated watch faces with richer complications, improved cycling metrics, and expanded sleep tracking insights. The operating system also gains a new focus mode specifically for workouts, which silences non-essential notifications while displaying relevant data.

Historical context: Apple Watch compatibility trends

Since the Apple Watch launched in 2015, Apple has periodically dropped support for older models. The first-generation Apple Watch (Series 0) was supported for four major versions (watchOS 1 through 4). The Series 1 and Series 2 were dropped after watchOS 8. The Series 3, which shipped with watchOS 4, lost support with watchOS 10. The Series 4 and 5 were dropped with watchOS 11. Now, with watchOS 27, the Series 6, 7, 8, SE 2, and Ultra 1 are being retired.

This cadence typically gives users about four to five years of software support. For example, the Apple Watch Series 6 released in 2020 and will have been supported for six major watchOS versions (7 through 26). The Series 7 and 8, both released later, will have slightly shorter support windows. The decision to drop the original Apple Watch Ultra after only four years is notable, given its premium positioning and higher price point. However, the Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 continue to be supported, and the Ultra 1 will still receive security updates.

The shift to requiring a minimum of the S9 chip highlights the increasing importance of on-device intelligence. Apple’s custom chips in the Apple Watch have evolved from the S1 in 2015 to the S11 in 2025, with each generation adding more computational power and neural engine capabilities. The S9 chip, introduced in 2023, was the first to include a 16-core Neural Engine capable of processing machine learning tasks up to twice as fast as the S8. This enabled new gesture controls, such as the double-tap gesture, and laid the groundwork for the AI features in watchOS 27.

Implications for users

For owners of the affected Apple Watch models, the news may be disappointing. However, there are several points to consider. First, their watches will continue to work with iOS 20 and later versions of iOS, as Dooley confirmed. They will still receive security updates, protecting against vulnerabilities. Second, many core health and fitness features, such as heart rate monitoring, ECG (on applicable models), and activity rings, will remain functional. The loss of new features is primarily related to advanced AI and interface improvements.

Users who want to access watchOS 27 will need to upgrade to one of the compatible models. The Apple Watch SE (3rd generation) offers a relatively affordable entry point, while the Series 10 and 11 provide the full range of health sensors. For adventurers, the Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 remain the top choices with their rugged design and extended battery life.

Apple’s decision also has implications for the resale market. Values of Series 6, 7, 8, SE 2, and Ultra 1 watches may decline as they lose software support. However, their ability to run watchOS 26 and earlier versions means they are still functional for many years. Some users may choose to keep them as secondary devices or gift them to family members.

As with any software update cycle, users should evaluate their needs. If the new AI features are not essential, holding onto an older model is viable for a few more years. But for those who want the latest and greatest, the upgrade path is clear. Apple’s focus on AI and on-device processing will likely continue to drive future compatibility requirements, making the S9 chip a new baseline for watchOS going forward.

watchOS 27 is currently available for developers as a beta. A public beta will be released in July, followed by a final release to all users in the fall. The company will likely provide detailed migration guides for users moving from unsupported models. Overall, this change underscores Apple’s commitment to delivering a premium experience through hardware and software integration, even if it means leaving some older devices behind.

Source: 9to5Mac News