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Apple Drops WatchOS 27 Support for Five Apple Watch Models to Enable AI-Powered Siri
Apple announced at its 2026 WWDC keynote that the upcoming watchOS 27 will not be available for the Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, the second‑generation Apple Watch SE, and the original Apple Watch Ultra. The five models will continue to receive security updates but will not receive the new software features.
Apple’s decision is tied to the performance demands of watchOS 27’s new artificial‑intelligence features, most notably an upgraded Siri experience. According to information reported by MacRumors, Apple Watch and Health product marketing manager Cait Dooley said the cutoff was driven by performance considerations. “The great new features in watchOS, including the capabilities of Siri AI and the new tap gesture, work best with the processing power that is in Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Ultra 2 and later, and SE 3,” Dooley explained.
Older Apple Watch models paired with iPhones running the latest iOS will continue to function normally and receive security updates, Dooley added.
watchOS 27 is positioned as a major step forward for Siri on the wrist. Senior director of watchOS software engineering David Clark said one of the update’s key goals is to “expand the intelligence story on Apple Watch and make it a true co‑partner to Apple Intelligence.” He highlighted that the Apple Watch is often the most convenient way to interact with Siri because it remains accessible throughout the day and can be used when a user’s hands are occupied.
Clark illustrated the cross‑device experience with an example: a user asks Siri on the watch for the ingredients of a recipe while shopping. The same information can later be accessed on an iPhone in a more readable format, creating a seamless experience that he described as a “superpower.”
Beyond Siri, watchOS 27 introduces several other features. A new dynamic app grid replaces the static grid, and a one‑handed tap gesture allows users to interact with the watch more comfortably. The Workout Buddy feature is expanded, and the Health app now includes menopause support, providing notifications for perimenopause and menopause cycle patterns.
The update also refines Smart Stack, giving it better context awareness and surfacing new card types. The developer beta of watchOS 27 is already available; Apple plans to release a public beta in July and the official public release in the fall.
Apple’s move to drop support for five models represents a significant shift in the Apple Watch lineup. Historically, Apple has supported each generation of the watch for several years, but this decision marks the end of support for three years’ worth of devices in a single software update.
The announcement underscores Apple’s focus on delivering a high‑performance, AI‑enhanced experience on newer hardware while maintaining security for older devices. As watchOS 27 rolls out, users with Series 9, Ultra 2, or SE 3 will gain access to the new Siri AI, dynamic app grid, and other enhancements, while owners of the older models will continue to receive security patches.
The broader industry will watch how Apple balances feature innovation with device lifecycle management, as the company’s approach may influence future software support strategies for wearable platforms.
In summary, watchOS 27 will bring AI‑powered Siri, new gestures, and health‑tracking improvements to newer Apple Watch models, while older models will remain secure but will not receive these updates. The public beta is expected in July, with the final release scheduled for the fall.
Apple’s decision is tied to the performance demands of watchOS 27’s new artificial‑intelligence features, most notably an upgraded Siri experience. According to information reported by MacRumors, Apple Watch and Health product marketing manager Cait Dooley said the cutoff was driven by performance considerations. “The great new features in watchOS, including the capabilities of Siri AI and the new tap gesture, work best with the processing power that is in Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Ultra 2 and later, and SE 3,” Dooley explained.
Older Apple Watch models paired with iPhones running the latest iOS will continue to function normally and receive security updates, Dooley added.
watchOS 27 is positioned as a major step forward for Siri on the wrist. Senior director of watchOS software engineering David Clark said one of the update’s key goals is to “expand the intelligence story on Apple Watch and make it a true co‑partner to Apple Intelligence.” He highlighted that the Apple Watch is often the most convenient way to interact with Siri because it remains accessible throughout the day and can be used when a user’s hands are occupied.
Clark illustrated the cross‑device experience with an example: a user asks Siri on the watch for the ingredients of a recipe while shopping. The same information can later be accessed on an iPhone in a more readable format, creating a seamless experience that he described as a “superpower.”
Beyond Siri, watchOS 27 introduces several other features. A new dynamic app grid replaces the static grid, and a one‑handed tap gesture allows users to interact with the watch more comfortably. The Workout Buddy feature is expanded, and the Health app now includes menopause support, providing notifications for perimenopause and menopause cycle patterns.
The update also refines Smart Stack, giving it better context awareness and surfacing new card types. The developer beta of watchOS 27 is already available; Apple plans to release a public beta in July and the official public release in the fall.
Apple’s move to drop support for five models represents a significant shift in the Apple Watch lineup. Historically, Apple has supported each generation of the watch for several years, but this decision marks the end of support for three years’ worth of devices in a single software update.
The announcement underscores Apple’s focus on delivering a high‑performance, AI‑enhanced experience on newer hardware while maintaining security for older devices. As watchOS 27 rolls out, users with Series 9, Ultra 2, or SE 3 will gain access to the new Siri AI, dynamic app grid, and other enhancements, while owners of the older models will continue to receive security patches.
The broader industry will watch how Apple balances feature innovation with device lifecycle management, as the company’s approach may influence future software support strategies for wearable platforms.
In summary, watchOS 27 will bring AI‑powered Siri, new gestures, and health‑tracking improvements to newer Apple Watch models, while older models will remain secure but will not receive these updates. The public beta is expected in July, with the final release scheduled for the fall.
