Why Apple is dropping support for the original Apple Watch Ultra and Series 8 in watchOS 27

watchOS 27: Major update and release date

The release of the new version of the watchOS 27 operating system will traditionally take place in the fall of this year – the full launch of the new firmware for supported devices is expected in September. The main goal of the global release is to provide users with an advanced experience of interacting with smart watches, including through improved operation of the Siri AI assistant and convenient contactless gestures.

Why Apple is ending support for the original $799 Apple Watch Ultra and Series 8

Such a rapid refusal of further updates for relatively recent flagships like the 1st generation Apple Watch Ultra, which sold for $799, has provoked heated debate. TechRadar journalists directly questioned Kate Dooley, who serves as head of product marketing for Apple Watch & Health. The Apple representative’s answer turned out to be as straightforward as possible – everything depends solely on the requirements for the speed and smoothness of the animation of the software platform.

According to her statement, the functional innovations implemented in the new Siri AI algorithms and modern gesture interfaces in watchOS 27 use excess processing power of the central processor for correct integration. Adequate operation at the proper level without reducing the overall efficiency of the watch can only be offered by the chipsets installed in the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Ultra 2 and later, as well as in the updated affordable Apple Watch SE 3 series.

List of watches that will not support watchOS 27

For greater clarity, we will distribute popular generations of watches according to the corresponding upgrade criteria. All major system functions will remain closed for the aging line of devices. The following watches are excluded from the official support list: Apple Watch Series 8 and older base generations, the original first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, as well as outdated budget Apple Watch SE models before the release of the SE 3 specification.

What will happen to unsupported Apple Watch after September

If the wearable device you use has lost its update and remains without watchOS 27, then this is not at all a reason to send the device for recycling. According to information from Apple’s official channels, the paired watch will continue to perform basic work without any glitches. They can still be paired with iPhone smartphones with the new version of the operating system, while the vendor undertakes to provide technical patches and security updates for outdated watches in a timely manner.

Verdict: Should you replace your old Apple Watch right now

Users of the original flagship Apple Watch Ultra, priced at $799, certainly hoped for a much longer-term relevance of their device. But modern realities of rapidly progressing AI algorithms put forward completely new hardware requirements for smart accessories. For owners of the Ultra 1 or Series 8 versions, it makes sense to take a closer look at the offers this fall season. A full upgrade to the Series 9, Ultra 2, or the latest SE 3 generation would be a smart move if the enhanced capabilities of the updated Siri AI are critical to your day-to-day use.

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