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Apple has officially shared which devices will support its next round of major software updates following the announcements at WWDC 2026. As expected, the new releases bring a mix of upgrades, including improvements to Apple Intelligence, a smarter “Siri AI” experience, and a refreshed design in several areas. But support isn’t exactly the same across every product category.

For iPhone users, the news is pretty straightforward. iOS 27 will be available on all iPhone models that currently support iOS 26. That means devices ranging from the iPhone 11 lineup to the latest iPhone 17 series will be covered, along with the iPhone 16e, iPhone Air, and iPhone SE (2nd generation and newer). It’s a broad support list and gives a lot of users another year without worrying about replacing their phone.

The iPad story is a bit different. Apple is trimming support for a handful of older models this time around. Devices losing compatibility include the 2018 versions of the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the 8th-generation iPad, the 5th-generation iPad mini, and the 3rd-generation iPad Air. Newer models remain supported, including iPad Pro models from the 2nd-generation 11-inch and 4th-generation 12.9-inch onward, as well as newer iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini models.

Mac users are seeing an even bigger shift. With macOS 27 Golden Gate, Apple is effectively closing the chapter on Intel support. The update will only be available on Macs powered by Apple silicon. That includes recent MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, the Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, Mac Pro, and the newly introduced MacBook Neo. If you’re still using an Intel Mac, this appears to be the end of the road for major macOS upgrades.

The biggest surprise initially came from watchOS 27. When Apple first published its compatibility list, the Apple Watch Series 9 was missing, leading many users to assume it had been dropped. That quickly raised questions, especially since the Series 9 shares the same S9 chip as the Ultra 2. Apple later confirmed the omission was a mistake and updated its website to include the Series 9 among supported devices.

With that correction, watchOS 27 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, Ultra 3, and the latest Apple Watch SE.

These software updates are expected to arrive this fall. For users with supported devices, there’s plenty to look forward to, from new AI-powered features to performance improvements.

(Source)

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