watchOS 27: Radical cuts in hardware support? | News

watchOS 27 is a fairly straightforward update that is largely limited to Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. What’s much more spectacular, however, is a look at the list of supported hardware, because Apple is radically clearing it out here. While iOS 27 still goes back to the iPhone 11, the company only names the following Apple Watch models:

• Apple Watch SE 3
• Apple Watch Series 10
• Apple Watch Series 11
• Apple Watch Ultra 2
• Apple Watch Ultra 3

Just a mixup?
Unless this is a mistake, Apple would have even canceled devices that came onto the market three years ago. Neither the Apple Watch Series 9 (2023) nor the first generation Apple Watch Ultra are included. To date, Apple has never offered such short software support, which is why this could be an incorrect entry. You may have confused “fully supports Siri AI” with “basically still running”, because the devices mentioned correspond exactly to the models that are listed as “Siri AI” compatible in the small print.

Apple could certainly demand newer chips, especially for on-device functions. Then SE 3, Series 10/11 and Ultra 2/3 would be conceivable as “fully supported” models – as a complete watchOS 27 compatibility list that would mean an enormous change.

Minor new features in watchOS 27
On the preview page for watchOS 27, Apple mentions, among other improvements, a new, dynamic app grid – Siri decides which apps are in the foreground here. There is also a new control gesture: Bringing your thumb and index fingers together opens Smart Stacks and displays relevant information. Just like with macOS and iOS 27, Apple is making improvements to Liquid Glass, which should have a positive effect on contrast and readability. The “Find Objects” and “Find People” apps will be merged into a common “Where is?” app, just as we know it on the other platforms.