iPhone update alert: if you own one of these four models, you (probably) won’t be getting iOS 27

If you’re still holding onto an older iPhone, the next big iOS 27 iPhone update might pass you by.

A new leak courtesy of Weibo’s Instant Digital claims that iOS 27 is expected to support the iPhone 12 lineup and newer – meaning four older models could miss out when Apple rolls out its next major update.

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The older models in question are said to be the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone SE (2nd generation).

If accurate, this would mark the end of major iOS upgrades for those models, even though they currently support iOS 26.

Support isn’t disappearing entirely, at least. Apple typically continues to roll out security updates for older devices for a few years after dropping them from the main update cycle. So your phone won’t suddenly stop working – but over time, you may find newer apps and features gradually slipping out of reach.

As for the supported devices, according to the same leak, iOS 27 will run on the iPhone 12 series and newer, including more recent models like the iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and the iPhone 17 range.

There’s also a further split within that list. Any new Apple Intelligence features expected in iOS 27 are said to require at least an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, meaning even some supported devices could miss out on the headline additions.

As for what iOS 27 actually brings, early reports suggest Apple may be focusing more on refinement than reinvention this time around. The update has been compared to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, with an emphasis on stability, bug fixes, and under-the-hood improvements rather than big flashy features.

That said, a few changes are still expected, including a dedicated Siri app, improved keyboard autocorrect, and more granular controls for interface elements like opacity.

Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 at its WWDC 2026 keynote on 8 June, with a developer beta likely landing the same day. A public beta usually follows in July, ahead of a full release later in the year. Stay tuned for more info, as and when we get it.

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Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.