Summary
**Apple** has announced that **watchOS 27**, its latest operating system update, will drop support for a significant number of older **Apple Watch** models. This includes the **Apple Watch Series 6, 7, and 8**, as well as the **Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)**, devices that were supported by the previous year's watchOS 26. The move also affects certain **iPad** models, with **iPadOS 27** cutting off support for the 3rd-gen iPad Air and 8th-gen iPad. This decision contrasts sharply with **iOS 27**, which will continue to support the **iPhone 11** (released in 2019), highlighting a perceived disparity in Apple's commitment to device longevity across its product lines. This aggressive culling of support is particularly surprising for Apple Watch models, as users typically refresh these devices less frequently than iPhones. The exclusion of devices as recent as the 2022 **Apple Watch Series 8** leaves millions of users unable to access new features, security updates, and app compatibility, potentially forcing costly upgrades. The Verge reports that Apple's website initially listed even fewer supported models, only to later add the Series 9 back, creating confusion and underscoring the abrupt nature of this support drop.
Key Takeaways
- Apple is dropping support for several Apple Watch and iPad models with watchOS 27 and iPadOS 27.
- Devices as recent as the 2022 Apple Watch Series 8 are affected.
- This contrasts with iOS 27, which continues to support the iPhone 11.
- The move is expected to drive upgrades and raises concerns about device longevity and e-waste.
- User frustration is likely due to the relatively short support cycle for wearables.
Balanced Perspective
Apple's decision to drop support for older **Apple Watch** and **iPad** models with **watchOS 27** and **iPadOS 27** is a recurring pattern in its product lifecycle. The company typically supports devices for a set number of years, balancing the desire to introduce new features with the technical limitations of older hardware. While this move impacts users of devices like the **Apple Watch Series 8**, it also allows Apple to allocate engineering resources towards developing advanced functionalities for its current and future product lines. The continued support for the **iPhone 11** with **iOS 27** suggests a tiered approach to software support across different product categories.
Optimistic View
This aggressive update strategy ensures that **Apple Watch** and **iPad** users receive the most optimized and secure software experience possible. By focusing development on newer hardware, Apple can push the boundaries of innovation, delivering cutting-edge features and performance enhancements that would be impossible to achieve on older, less capable devices. This commitment to forward-thinking development ultimately benefits consumers by providing a consistently high-quality user experience and driving the entire [[wearable-technology|wearable technology]] ecosystem forward.
Critical View
Apple's decision to abandon millions of users with **watchOS 27** and **iPadOS 27** is a cynical move that prioritizes profit over customer loyalty and environmental sustainability. Devices as recent as the **Apple Watch Series 8** (2022) and **8th-gen iPad** (2020) are being rendered obsolete, forcing users into expensive upgrades and contributing to e-waste. This practice exacerbates the already high cost of [[Apple Ecosystem|Apple's ecosystem]] and undermines the perceived value of their products, creating a disposable tech culture that is detrimental to both consumers and the planet.
Source
Originally reported by The Verge