iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 don’t drop support for any iPhones—and just a few iPads

For users of older iPhones and iPads, the news surrounding Apple's latest operating systems is largely positive. The iOS 27 update will continue to support all iPhones capable of running iOS 26, including models dating back to the iPhone 11 and the second-generation iPhone SE. However, iPadOS 27 presents a more selective scenario, as it will no longer support the 3rd-generation iPad Air, the 8th-generation iPad, and the 5th-generation iPad mini. These devices, which utilize the older A12 Bionic chip, are being phased out in favor of models equipped with the A13 chip or better. Apple has highlighted that owners of older devices can expect enhanced performance with iOS 27, aided by a revamped CPU scheduler. This feature, initially available on newer iPhones, has now been adapted for older models with this update. Nonetheless, many of the exciting new functionalities introduced by Apple hinge on the capabilities of Apple Intelligence, which is limited to newer devices boasting at least 8GB of RAM. Specifically, this technology requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, an iPhone 16 or newer, or an iPhone Air. For iPads, compatibility requires an iPad Air or iPad Pro equipped with an M1 chip or newer. Additionally, the latest models unveiled by Apple necessitate even stricter system requirements, including a more advanced Apple Silicon chip and a minimum of 12GB of RAM. This means that only the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air, the newly released M4 iPad Air, or the M4 or M5 iPad Pro will be able to utilize these features. Currently, the first developer betas for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 are available, with public beta versions set to launch in July. As is customary, the final releases are anticipated in the fall.