Apple Watch Series 9 gets watchOS 27 after all — but older models aren't so lucky
Apple Watch Series 9 will run watchOS 27, but only after Apple corrected an embarrassing omission from its own compatibility list. The update, announced at WWDC 2026, drops support for a swath of older hardware — and the cutoff is steeper than anything Apple has done before with its wearables.
The list
watchOS 27 supports the Apple Watch SE 3, Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3. That's it. The Apple Watch SE 2 and first-generation Ultra — both released in 2022 — are out. So are Series 6, 7, and 8. In a single update, Apple has cut off four years of Watch hardware.
Apple Watch compatibility for watchOS 27 — Series 9 made the cut after an initial omission.
The Series 9 situation added an awkward twist. Apple's website initially left it off the supported list entirely. Owners who'd already installed the developer beta noticed it ran fine — and 9to5Mac reported that Apple quietly confirmed Series 9 support to Engadget after hours, with a promise to update the official page. Not the smoothest rollout.
Why it stings
The Series 9 launched in September 2023. By the time watchOS 27 arrives this fall, it will have received exactly two major OS updates. Compare that to Apple's own announcement the same day: iPhone 11 — a phone from 2019 — will support iOS 27, giving it seven years of software updates.
The first-gen Ultra makes the cut look even harsher. At launch it cost $799, positioning it as a premium, durable device. Four years of support for an $800 watch is a tough sell, and AppleMagazine notes it puts Apple's long-support reputation directly at risk.
For context, Samsung guarantees four years of OS updates on its Galaxy Watch line, and Google's Pixel Watch 2 is on track to outlast the Series 9 in software support. Apple has long been the benchmark for longevity in consumer tech — this update chips away at that.
What comes next
Apple gave no technical explanation for the cuts. AI hardware requirements are the most commonly cited reason among analysts, but Apple hasn't confirmed that. The final release of watchOS 27 is expected in September 2026, in line with Apple's usual fall schedule.
If your Apple Watch is on the supported list, there's nothing to do until the fall. If it isn't, your watch will keep working — it just won't receive any new features or, eventually, security patches going forward.
