WWDC 2026 brought not only a new design and a smarter Siri. Several systems were shown on stage, including a major iOS 27 update for iPhones. But today we’re talking about the watch. Along with watchOS 27, the company cut off several generations of Apple Watch from the update. The list of compatible models turned out to be the shortest in history. And there was almost an embarrassing mix-up.
The list of supported Apple Watch devices was surprising
Which Apple Watch Will Get watchOS 27
Straight to the point. The following six models will be able to update to watchOS 27 this fall:
Here’s the final list of models
- Apple Watch Series 11
- Apple Watch Series 10
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch SE 3
- Apple Watch Ultra 3
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
And here’s who wasn’t so lucky. Left without the update are Apple Watch SE 2, Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, and the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra. All of them will be stuck on watchOS 26. To give you a sense of scale: the previous watchOS 26 (like watchOS 11 before it) supported Series 6 and newer. Now Apple dropped support for several years’ worth of devices in one fell swoop. This is the most aggressive cut in the entire history of the watch.
It’s especially frustrating for SE 2 and first Ultra owners. These models came out in 2022. That means they’re only about three years old, and upgrades for them are already over. All the new features of watchOS 27 we’ve compiled in a separate article, but here we’ll focus on compatibility.
Apple’s Mistake with the Compatible Apple Watch List
Now for the most interesting part. Right after the keynote, Apple updated its website and posted the list of compatible models. And Series 9 simply wasn’t on it.
Series 9 received the update right away with the beta release
The list only included SE 3, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3. The logic immediately fell apart. The thing is, Series 9 and Ultra 2 run on the exact same chip — Apple S9. Cutting off one watch while keeping another with the same hardware is a strange decision.
Series 9 owners quickly noticed this. As soon as the first watchOS 27 beta was released, they were able to download and install it on their watches without any issues. No blocks whatsoever. Apple confirmed to 9to5Mac that Series 9 does indeed support watchOS 27. The omission from the list was simply a marketing error. The website has already been corrected. So if you have a Series 9, you can breathe easy.
What’s New in watchOS 27
So what’s worth updating for? The main feature is a standalone Siri app. All conversations with the assistant are now stored in one place. You can start a conversation on your iPhone and continue it from your wrist. This is the new AI-powered Siri that Apple talked so much about.
There are plenty of new features in watchOS 27
The home screen has been redesigned for the new Siri. A dynamic app grid has appeared. It automatically brings to the top whatever you use most often, and places Siri itself in the center.
The other changes are also welcome:
- opening Smart Stack widgets with a single tap;
- a smart Workout Buddy with tips on pace, distance, and workout history;
- perimenopause and menopause tracking in the Health app;
- updated Liquid Glass with improved readability;
- quick Music launch and more stable Wi-Fi;
- Call Context feature — prompts during business calls.
But there’s an important caveat. Siri AI and some Apple Intelligence features will come later and initially only in English. In the EU and China, they won’t be available at launch at all. Apple Intelligence doesn’t officially work in Russia either. So users in Russia will likely get interface improvements rather than a smart assistant.
Which Apple Watch Won’t Get watchOS 27
Don’t panic. If you have a Series 6, 7, 8, SE 2, or the first Ultra, your watch won’t turn into a brick. They’ll continue running on watchOS 26, and Apple usually continues releasing critical security patches for some time. The only reason to rush to the store is for new features. I wear an Apple Watch every day myself and I’ll say it straight: if your needs are notifications, workouts, and payments, the difference from watchOS 26 will be barely noticeable. Especially in Russia, where smart Siri isn’t available yet.
The bottom line is simple. watchOS 27 is a step toward smart watches with AI. But that’s exactly why Apple cut off so many older models. If your watch made the list — great. If not — there’s no rush, your watchOS 26 will serve you well for a while yet.
