WatchOS 27 update is said to not support Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, SE 2 and first-generation Apple Watch Ultra models.
This may be the first time the company has stopped supporting multiple generations of Apple Watches simultaneously in just one software update.
According to Ms. Cait Dooley - Marketing Director of Apple Watch and Health, this decision stemmed from performance requirements.
According to Apple, new features on watchOS 27 such as Siri AI and touch gestures require the processing power of Apple Watch Series 9 and above, Ultra 2 and above and SE 3 to operate smoothly.
Although not upgraded to watchOS 27, older Apple Watch models can still be used when paired with iPhones running the latest iOS version and will continue to receive security patches.
Meanwhile, Mr. David Clark - Senior Director of Software Engineering watchOS said that watchOS 27's goal is to turn Apple Watch into a true "companion" of Apple Intelligence. He emphasized that Siri on the watch will bring a unified experience with Siri on iPhone, can access personal data and provide consistent feedback on all devices.
Currently, watchOS 27 has released a beta for developers. The public beta is expected to be released next month, before the official version is released in the fall of this year.
