June 22, 2026, 3:41 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Apple is phasing out several older Apple Watch models in the upcoming update. This has sparked discussions, as even the Apple Watch Ultra from 2022 is affected. Although it was marketed as particularly powerful at the time, it will not receive the new watchOS 27 in fall 2026. This move comes as a surprise to many users, as the watch is not yet considered outdated.
This is especially frustrating for those who invested a lot of money. The first Ultra generation cost around 1,000 euros at its 2022 launch. The fact that such a premium model is already being excluded from the next major update has drawn criticism. Apple has since commented to the online magazine Techradar and cited technical limitations as the main reason.
AI pushes old hardware to its limits
The focus is on the new generation of features centered around artificial intelligence. The further developed Siri plays a major role in this. Apple is heavily relying on local processing directly on the device, which requires significantly more computing power. According to the company, this is where the older watches fall short.
The affected models mostly still use the S8 chip or older hardware. These do not have a powerful Neural Engine necessary for modern AI tasks like Siri AI. Newer devices such as the Series 9, the Ultra 2, or the upcoming SE 3 are designed precisely for this. They can smoothly process the new features, while older models are already reaching their limits.
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Some features are already missing today
The fact that the hardware can no longer keep up is already evident in the current software. Some features are already unavailable to older devices. These include Siri executed directly on the watch, new gestures like the double tap, and health features such as sleep apnea detection.
Apple could theoretically have offered a stripped-down version of watchOS. Instead, the company has apparently decided to completely remove older devices from the update cycle. For users, this means their smartwatch will remain functionally at the level of watchOS 26.
Devices won’t be left without support
The good news is that Apple is not completely abandoning the affected models. Security updates will continue to be provided. Everyday use remains possible, such as in combination with newer iPhones. According to Apple, the interaction between an older watch with watchOS 26 and an iPhone with iOS 27 should work seamlessly.