Apple has officially revealed the list of iPhones compatible with iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote, confirming continued software support for a wide range of older devices, including the entire iPhone 11 lineup and the second-generation iPhone SE.
The update is currently available in beta to developers, with a public release scheduled for September 2026.
Apple stated that any iPhone capable of running iOS 26 will also support iOS 27. The announcement came as a surprise to some users who expected older devices launched in 2019, particularly the iPhone 11 series, to be dropped from the latest update cycle.
With this release, Apple has ended support for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR, which were powered by the A12 Bionic chip. Devices using the newer A13 Bionic processor, including the iPhone 11 family, will continue to receive updates under iOS 27.
Features Limited by Hardware
Although Apple is maintaining broad compatibility, not all features will be available across every supported device. The company confirmed that advanced artificial intelligence capabilities under Apple Intelligence will require more recent hardware, including at least 8 GB of RAM.
As a result, the redesigned Siri experience with full AI integration will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro lineup and newer models, including the entire iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series.
Some of the most advanced on-device AI functions will be restricted even further, with availability expected primarily on the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models.
Performance Improvements Across Older Devices
Despite feature limitations, Apple emphasized that iOS 27 will bring meaningful performance improvements to older iPhones. A redesigned CPU scheduling system has been introduced to improve overall system efficiency.
According to Apple, app launch times may improve by up to 30 per cent, while AirDrop transfer speeds could increase by as much as 80 per cent compared to previous versions.
These optimizations are intended to extend the usable life of older devices while maintaining a consistent user experience across the supported lineup.
Full List of Compatible iPhones for iOS 27
Apple confirmed that the following devices will receive the iOS 27 update:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 17e
- iPhone Air
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
The iOS 27 rollout highlights Apple’s continued approach of extending software longevity while reserving its most advanced features for newer hardware. While older devices will benefit from performance enhancements and continued security updates, the full range of Apple Intelligence capabilities will remain exclusive to recent flagship models.
