Apple Enables watchOS 27 Beta 2 on Watch Ultra 3, Bringing Siri AI

Q: With watchOS 27's tough new requirements, how long will a new Apple Watch actually be supported?

A new Apple Watch will likely get about 4 to 6 years of major watchOS updates, with some security-only support after that, but watchOS 27 suggests Apple may now be closer to the lower end of that range for some models. The key signal is compatibility. watchOS 27 supports only newer hardware: Series 9 or later, Ultra 2 or later, and SE 3. That means several relatively recent models — including Series 6, 7, 8, the first Ultra, and SE 2 — are being dropped from major updates this year. In practice, that puts some watches at roughly four to five years of full software support rather than a guaranteed six. For someone buying a new model now, such as an Ultra 3, Series 11, or SE 3, the expectation should be several years of full feature updates, likely into the early 2030s. A reasonable estimate is major watchOS support for around 4 to 5 years, with 6 years still possible but no longer something buyers should assume. The reason support is tightening appears to be hardware demands, especially for new AI-driven features such as Siri AI and the upgraded Workout Buddy. Apple has said older devices will continue to receive security updates for some time, but once major watchOS support ends, the watch will stop getting new features and may gradually lose app compatibility. So the practical answer is that a new Apple Watch should still have a solid lifespan, but watchOS 27 shows Apple’s support window is becoming more dependent on processor capability than on age alone.

Q: Is Apple's new AI forcing your expensive watch into early retirement?

Yes—if you want Apple’s new AI features on your wrist, many still-costly Apple Watches are effectively being pushed out of the main upgrade path. watchOS 27, which brings the new Siri AI and upgraded Workout Buddy, only supports six models: Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra 3, and the SE (3rd generation). That leaves out the Series 6, 7, 8, the original Ultra, and the SE (2nd generation). For owners of premium devices such as the first Ultra, that is a sharp cutoff. That does not mean those watches stop working. They will still handle core tasks such as fitness tracking, notifications, and existing apps, and Apple says older devices will continue to receive security updates for now. But they will not get watchOS 27, Apple Intelligence features, or the broader software improvements tied to the new system. Apple’s rationale is hardware. The company says the new Siri AI and related features need newer chips, with watchOS 27 effectively requiring the S9 generation or later for the full experience. In practice, that means AI is becoming a new dividing line in Apple’s watch lineup. So the answer is partly yes: Apple is not forcing your watch into literal retirement, but it is accelerating feature obsolescence. If your watch is older than a Series 9, or is the original Ultra, you can keep using it—but you will need newer hardware to get Apple’s latest AI.

3 articles · Updated · AppleInsider · Jun 25

Apple has now opened watchOS 27 developer beta 2 to Apple Watch Ultra 3 owners after the model was excluded when the update rolled out on June 23.
watchOS 27 beta 2 adds Siri AI and an improved Workout Buddy, and Ultra 3 users can install it through the Apple Watch app on a paired iPhone.
The install requires Wi-Fi, a charger, and at least 50% battery, but Apple’s early beta cycle still carries risks including bugs, glitches, and broken features.
September 2026 is the expected public release window for watchOS 27, when average users can get the update alongside iOS 27 without developer-beta tradeoffs.