Apple narrows OS compatibility in iPadOS 27 and watchOS 27 releases
The latest operating system updates introduce Siri AI but restrict device support to newer generations, leaving many existing users without access to the new software.
Apple has released iPadOS 27 and watchOS 27, marking a substantial reduction in the range of compatible devices for its latest software updates. The updates introduce an improved version of Siri, dubbed Siri AI, but accompany a significant cull of supported hardware that exceeds previous annual reductions.
For wearable devices, watchOS 27 is restricted to Apple Watch Series 10 and above, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and above, and Apple Watch SE 3. This exclusion removes support for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the original Apple Watch Ultra models released in 2022. The move represents a notable tightening of compatibility, particularly given that consumers typically refresh wearable hardware less frequently than smartphones.
On the tablet front, iPadOS 27 removes support for M1-powered iPads, including the third, fourth, and fifth-generation iPad Air models. Support for iPad Pro is now limited to the fourth-generation 12.9-inch model and above, as well as the second-generation 11-inch model and above. Additionally, the update drops the eighth-generation standard iPad, requiring users to possess a ninth-generation model or newer.
The exclusion of M1-powered iPads from iPadOS 27 remains unexplained, particularly as these models are capable of supporting Apple Intelligence. While the new Siri AI feature requires pairing with an Apple Intelligence-enabled device, the specific reasoning behind barring M1 chips from the update is not explicitly stated, leaving the strategic or technical constraints unclear.
Despite the stricter hardware requirements for watches and tablets, Apple is maintaining support for iPhone 11 models with the upcoming iOS 27 release. This means devices from 2019 will receive the latest operating system updates, while Apple Watches from 2023 will not. The Siri AI feature is currently unavailable in the European Union on iOS and iPadOS devices.
