During the unveiling of watchOS 27, it became painfully clear that a significant number of Apple Watch models will not participate in the update this fall. Owners of the first Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Series 8 were especially perplexed; these relatively new models are already being excluded. Apple has traditionally built a reputation for long-term software support, so this sudden ‘purge’ of as many as five models caused a lot of frustration.
In one interview with TechRadar Apple CEOs Cait Dooley (Product Marketing Manager for Apple Watch and Health) and David Clark (Senior Director of watchOS Software Engineering) shared their insights on this decision. The duo explains that the change comes from the hardware requirements of the latest features. Apple deliberately chooses performance instead of nostalgia, in order to optimize the user experience on the supported models.
Powerhouses wanted for Siri AI and new gestures
According to Cait Dooley, the bar for watchOS 27 is simply too high for older processors (such as the S6, S7 and S8 chips). Apple wants to ensure that the system continues to run smoothly with every software update, and with the arrival of advanced artificial intelligence, this is no longer possible on older hardware.
“The exciting new features in watchOS 27, including Siri AI capabilities and new tap gesture controls, work best with the computing power found in Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Ultra 2 and later, and SE 3”Dooley explains.
The on-device processing of Siri AI in particular places enormous demands on the chip. Although older watches can still display the time well, the new AI functions would cause too many stuttering and shorter battery life.
The Apple Watch as a ‘co-partner’ for Apple Intelligence
David Clark adds that watchOS 27 was designed with a clear vision: the Apple Watch must work seamlessly with Apple Intelligence on your iPhone. The goal was to transform Siri on your wrist into a full-fledged partner that communicates directly with the AI on your phone.
Clark describes the Apple Watch as the most convenient way to interact with Siri because the device sits on your wrist all day. As an example, he gives a scenario in which you are standing in the supermarket with full hands and asks Siri on your watch for the ingredients of a recipe. Later you can access the same information directly on your iPhone in a more organized format. According to Clark, this cross-device handoff is the absolute “superpower” of the new update, but it does require the newer chip architecture.
No Siri AI in the EU
Due to European DMA legislation, Apple has decided not to make the new Siri AI available for the iPhone and iPad in the EU for the time being. Although Siri AI on the Apple Watch is permitted according to the DMA, a problem arises: the watch must be linked to an iPhone with Siri AI in order to use the functionalities.
Due to the disagreement between Apple and the European Commission over privacy and interoperability, it is unclear for European consumers when we can use this smart assistant on our iPhones and Apple Watches.
Which models are eliminated
Due to the strict requirements, the list of dropouts this year is larger than ever. Get the following five models no upgrade to watchOS 27:
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
Apple Watch Ultra (1st generation)
Do you have one of these models? Don’t panic: Dooley says your Apple Watch will continue to work with iPhones running the latest iOS. Apple will still roll out important security updates, but you will miss the visual and functional innovations.
The update will be officially available for the Apple Watch Series 9, 10 and 11, the Ultra 2 and 3, and the Apple Watch SE 3.
