iOS 27: These iPhones will receive the big update in the fall

Apple is rolling out the big update to iOS 27 in the fall and promises extremely long support for older iPhone models. However, the old processors reach their limits with the new functions of Apple Intelligence. This is what you need to know now.

iOS 27 updates even for the iPhone 11

The Californian technology group presented its upcoming operating system for smartphones at the WWDC 2026 developer conference in Cupertino. iOS 27, which will be released in the fall, will bring not only visual adjustments but also performance improvements to users’ devices. At its core, the system builds on the foundation of the previous year and optimizes application start times and general stability. One focus of the update is on the user interface.

The liquid glass design has expanded setting options for the transparency of the menus. The group is also revising its in-house map application. The three-dimensional fly-over view, which was originally introduced over a decade ago, is now said to look much more realistic. There are also new health monitoring functions and improved controls for parents.

Old hardware remains compatible

The most important news concerns the hardware requirements. As Apple confirmed during the presentation, the list of supported smartphones has not changed compared to last year. Anyone currently using the iOS 26 operating system can easily update the device in the fall. The update promise therefore continues to cover a very wide range of models. The following model series will receive the new software:

The fact that a seven-year-old smartphone like the iPhone 11 continues to receive system updates is considered a major plus point in the mobile communications industry. Historically, the manufacturer has largely relied on long support cycles. The first iPhone in 2007 only received two major updates, while today’s devices are often supported for six or more years.

AI capabilities require performance

A disadvantage of the long usability is that the built-in hardware of older models is not sufficient for all new software functions. Older processors reach their limits, especially with the new Apple Intelligence tools. The collection of functions is based on local data processing by AI. Computing-intensive tasks such as the revised voice assistant Siri or intelligent search functions are therefore reserved for newer generations of devices.

For owners of older hardware, this means a secure and up-to-date operating system, but with a noticeably reduced range of functions. However, the core functions for everyday life, current security patches and integration into the ecosystem remain fully intact for all supported devices. Developers now have to adapt their applications so that they function smoothly on the multitude of different processor generations.