The affected watches will continue working and may receive security patches, but they will not gain the new Siri and artificial intelligence features arriving with watchOS 27.
Cupertino, June 2026
Apple has confirmed that five Apple Watch generations will not be compatible with watchOS 27, marking the end of major operating-system upgrades for devices still used by a large number of customers. The affected lineup includes Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, the second-generation Apple Watch SE and the original Apple Watch Ultra. These models will remain functional and are not being remotely disabled, but they will no longer receive the principal features introduced through future versions of watchOS. Their transition from active development to maintenance support reflects a new technical boundary created largely by artificial intelligence.
The decision has attracted particular attention because some excluded models are not generally perceived as old devices. Apple Watch Series 8 and the first-generation Ultra were introduced as premium products and continue to offer health monitoring, fitness tracking, notifications and emergency functions. Many owners expected them to remain part of Apple’s main software cycle for a longer period, especially considering their original prices and continued practical usefulness. Their exclusion demonstrates that software longevity is increasingly determined by specialized processing capabilities rather than by whether the hardware can still perform its basic functions.
According to the compatibility information presented for watchOS 27, the new system will be available for Apple Watch Series 9 and later generations, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and its successors, and the third-generation Apple Watch SE. The dividing line corresponds with newer processors beginning with Apple’s S9 chip, which includes a more advanced Neural Engine designed to execute machine-learning tasks directly on the device. Watches using the S8 chip or earlier architectures do not provide the level of local processing Apple considers necessary for the new experience. The company has therefore chosen to limit the update rather than offer a reduced version of its most advanced functions across older hardware.
The principal technical challenge involves the expansion of Siri and its integration with Apple Intelligence throughout the company’s ecosystem. Apple wants interactions initiated on the watch to operate more consistently with the iPhone and other connected devices while processing a greater number of requests locally. On-device processing can improve speed, privacy and reliability because certain tasks do not need to send all information to remote servers. It also requires sufficient memory, computational power and machine-learning hardware, creating compatibility demands that traditional watch functions did not impose.
This change does not mean that the excluded watches will suddenly become unusable when watchOS 27 is released. Owners should continue to receive notifications, record workouts, monitor compatible health metrics and use applications that still support their installed operating system. Apple is also expected to distribute minor watchOS 26 updates for a period, particularly when security vulnerabilities or important technical problems require correction. The major difference is that these watches will enter a maintenance phase rather than continuing to evolve alongside the newest models.
Security support will become the most important consideration for users who decide to keep their current devices. A watch connected to an iPhone can handle personal messages, payment information, health records, location data and authentication processes, making software protection essential even when new features are not a priority. Apple traditionally provides some security fixes for older operating systems, but the company does not guarantee that every vulnerability will be corrected indefinitely. Owners will therefore need to monitor official updates and evaluate the device’s suitability as its software becomes progressively older.
Application compatibility will also decline gradually rather than disappear immediately. Developers usually continue supporting earlier versions of watchOS while a substantial number of customers still use them, but they eventually adopt newer programming tools and system requirements. Some applications may stop receiving enhancements, while others could require watchOS 27 or later to install future versions. The process can take years, but it creates a growing separation between a watch that still operates and one that participates fully in the current software ecosystem.
The affected models retain considerable value for users whose priorities remain basic fitness tracking, notifications and timekeeping. Apple Watch Series 6 introduced blood oxygen measurement in supported markets, while later generations added refinements in health monitoring, screen durability and temperature-related sensing. The original Apple Watch Ultra also provides a durable titanium design, extended battery life and specialized outdoor capabilities that do not disappear because of a software cutoff. For many owners, those existing functions may remain sufficient despite the absence of watchOS 27.
The word “obsolete” can therefore create a misleading impression when applied to this transition. In Apple’s formal service terminology, obsolete and vintage products belong to specific categories related to the availability of repairs and replacement parts. A device that stops receiving the newest operating system does not automatically enter either classification. The watches in question are better described as losing major software support while continuing to function under their current system.
Apple’s decision resembles the compatibility strategy previously applied to Apple Intelligence on the iPhone. Several relatively recent smartphones were excluded because their processors and memory were not considered capable of delivering the intended artificial-intelligence experience. The company prioritized performance consistency over making limited versions available on a broader range of devices. WatchOS 27 extends that philosophy to wearable technology and confirms that neural-processing hardware has become a central factor in determining product longevity.
The shift creates an uncomfortable situation for consumers because wearable devices have traditionally been replaced less frequently than phones. A watch can remain physically intact for many years, and battery replacement may restore much of its daily usefulness. Artificial-intelligence requirements can shorten the period in which that hardware receives complete software support even when its conventional functions remain reliable. This tension may influence how customers evaluate future purchases, particularly at the premium end of the Apple Watch range.
Owners of affected models do not need to replace them immediately merely to preserve normal operation. A sensible decision should consider battery condition, application requirements, security support and whether the new watchOS 27 features would provide meaningful personal value. Someone who uses the watch mainly for exercise records and notifications may have little reason to upgrade in the short term. A user who depends on advanced Siri functions, new accessibility tools or tighter Apple Intelligence integration may experience the limitation more quickly.
Before purchasing a replacement, customers should also examine the compatibility of their iPhone because the newest Apple Watch software generally requires a recent version of iOS. Buying a supported watch without verifying the connected phone can create another upgrade requirement and significantly increase the total cost. Storage, cellular connectivity, health sensors and battery life should be evaluated alongside artificial-intelligence features. The newest model is not automatically the most appropriate option for every user.
The environmental impact of shortened software cycles will also remain part of the discussion. Millions of watches becoming ineligible for major updates can encourage replacement even when the hardware is still operational. Apple promotes recycling, trade-in programs and the use of recycled materials, but extending functional software support is also an important component of reducing electronic waste. The balance between advanced features and long-term compatibility will become more difficult as artificial intelligence requires increasingly specialized components.
For Apple, restricting watchOS 27 to newer processors may simplify development and allow engineers to create functions without accommodating hardware that cannot deliver consistent performance. A smaller compatibility range can reduce technical compromises, improve response times and make the software experience more predictable. The commercial benefit is also evident because major software exclusions can motivate customers to purchase newer devices. Both technical and business considerations are likely to shape the consequences of the decision, even when the official explanation focuses on hardware capability.
The end of major updates does not erase the usefulness of the Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, second-generation SE or original Ultra. It changes their position within the ecosystem from products receiving continuous innovation to devices maintained primarily for stability and security. Owners still control the practical end of each watch’s life and may continue using it as long as performance, battery health and software compatibility meet their needs. The most important change is not that the watches stop working, but that Apple’s newest technological direction will move forward without them.
Un reloj no deja de ser útil cuando termina una actualización, pero sí comienza a alejarse del ecosistema que le daba vigencia. / A watch does not stop being useful when updates end, but it begins moving away from the ecosystem that kept it current.