Apple confirms iOS 27 compatibility extends to iPhone 11, while iPadOS 27 drops older models
The upcoming operating systems introduce performance boosts for legacy devices through an updated CPU scheduler, though Apple Intelligence remains restricted to models with 8GB of RAM or more.
Apple has confirmed the compatibility parameters for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on 8 June 2026, revealing a strategy that prioritises broad iPhone support while tightening requirements for tablet devices and advanced artificial intelligence features. The company announced that iOS 27 will support all iPhones currently compatible with iOS 26, extending the lifecycle of devices including the iPhone 11 and the second-generation iPhone SE.
In contrast, iPadOS 27 will drop support for the third-generation iPad Air, the eighth-generation iPad, and the fifth-generation iPad mini. These excluded devices rely on the A12 Bionic chip, whereas the updated operating system requires an A13 chip or newer. This shift marks a narrowing of hardware compatibility for the tablet lineup, distinguishing it from the more inclusive approach taken with the iPhone range.
To mitigate performance concerns on older hardware, Apple has ported an updated CPU scheduler, previously available only on newer iPhones, to these legacy devices. The company has indicated that this change, alongside general efficiency improvements, will result in faster app launches, quicker photo loading times, and accelerated AirDrop transfers for users retaining older devices.
Despite the extended software support, access to new features remains heavily dependent on hardware capabilities. Apple Intelligence, the company’s integrated AI suite, is restricted to devices with at least 8GB of RAM. On the iPhone, this limits the feature to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer, the iPhone 16 series, and the iPhone Air. For iPads, support requires an M1 chip or newer, limiting availability to the iPad Air and iPad Pro models with those processors.
The most capable local AI models announced by Apple carry even stricter requirements, necessitating 12GB of RAM and newer Apple Silicon chips. These features will be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone Air, the M4 iPad Air, and the M4 or M5 iPad Pro. Additionally, the Siri AI feature remains unavailable in the European Union due to regulatory constraints.
Developer betas for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 are available immediately to enrolled members of the Apple Developer Program. A public beta is scheduled for release in July 2026, with the final stable versions expected to launch in the fall, aligning with Apple’s traditional release cycle for major operating system updates.
