What initially seemed like a simple oversight in the presentation notes has turned out to be one of the company's most aggressive moves in years. Following the official announcement of watchOS 27, the user community has had to swallow a considerable disappointment: models that still perform exceptionally well will be left out of the major fall update. It's not that they'll stop working tomorrow, but they will... They will miss out on the latest features of artificial intelligence that Apple has prepared for this season.
The decision has been particularly stinging for those who invested in the high-end range not so long ago. Seeing devices barely two years old become obsolete is not something we're used to from Apple, as their support is usually among the longest-lasting in the tech industry. However, this time they've chosen to... prioritize system fluidity Beyond stretching compatibility, this forces many to reconsider whether it's time to pay up or stick with what they have.
Models that are saying goodbye to new releases
If you have an Apple Watch on your wrist, the first thing to know is whether you've been unlucky. The models that won't be able to install watchOS 27 are: Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, and Series 8These are joined by the second-generation SE and, perhaps most painful for the wallet, the original 2022 Apple Watch Ultra. It's a long list that leaves out three generations at once, a maneuver that hasn't been seen for a long time in the Apple ecosystem and that has raised quite a few eyebrows among analysts.
On the other hand, those who will be able to enjoy all the new features are the owners of a Series 9 and above, the Ultra 2 and the third generation SEThis dividing line is very clear and reflects an internal change at the heart of the watches. While older models stretched a processor architecture that had been around for a while, the new chips represent a leap that, according to Cupertino engineers, is absolutely necessary to prevent the watch from freezing when trying to use the new smart features.
Artificial intelligence as a hardware wall
Apple has issued an explanation to try and calm the situation, pointing directly to the hardware as the culprit. David Clark, a key engineer in watchOS, commented that the goal of this version is for the watch to be a A true companion to Apple IntelligenceIn order for Siri to respond to us coherently and quickly, processing data directly on the device without relying so much on the cloud, a neural engine is needed, which older models simply do not have.
Cait Dooley, Apple Watch marketing manager, reinforced this idea, explaining that the company always prioritizes performance. They don't want a Series 8 user trying to use the new smart gestures or advanced Siri to encounter lag or a battery that drains in a couple of hours. Apparently, the The S9 chip incorporated computing power specifically for machine learning, which is 52% higher than before, and that is the figure that has marked the fate of millions of devices worldwide.
Impact on the Spanish market and future support
In Spain, where the Apple Watch dominates the market with a share of around 40%, this news affects a very large user base that typically keeps their devices for several years. Many bought a Series 7 or an Ultra attracted by their durability, and encountering this technical limitation so soon is a bitter pill to swallow. Even so, there's no need to panic: Apple has confirmed that will continue to release security patches and minor updates for Watch 26ensuring that the watches remain safe and functional for a good while longer.
There is a glimmer of hope for those experiencing performance issues with their current watches. The upcoming watchOS 26 release is expected to address these problems. polish battery faults and errors in native apps that have been making waves this past year. Although they may not feel brand new and don't have the latest Siri AI, these watches remain very capable tools for everyday life, sports, and health, which is what most people actually use them for.
Ultimately, Apple's strategy with watchOS 27 makes it clear that artificial intelligence isn't just a fad, but a structural shift that demands more modern hardware. While it's frustrating to be left behind, the commitment to running processes locally to protect privacy requires sacrificing compatibility with processors that have already reached their limits. Users of older models will maintain a reliable and secure device through maintenance updates, while those seeking cutting-edge AI will have to keep an eye on the brand's newer generations.
