Still using an iPhone 11 or second-generation iPhone SE? This could be the year that Apple finally leaves your handset behind with its upcoming iOS 27 update – at least, if the most recent rumours are true.
Apple is expected to reveal iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on 8 June, and a long-running rumour from leaker Instant Digital on Weibo suggests that the update will only support the iPhone 12 range and newer.
If accurate, it means that four devices will miss out on Apple’s next major software release – the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and the second-generation iPhone SE. While those handsets would no longer receive major new features though, they would likely continue getting security updates for several years, much like older unsupported iPhones do today.
Owners of newer devices shouldn’t get too comfortable, though. Even if your iPhone supports the iOS 27 update, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get all of its headline features. Apple Intelligence still requires newer hardware, and the rumoured Siri overhaul is expected to remain exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and newer models. That means iPhone 12, 13, and 14 owners could receive the update itself while missing out on some of its most advanced AI-powered capabilities.
According to other recent reports, iOS 27 is shaping up to be less of a feature-packed release and more of a refinement update. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has previously likened it to Mac OS X Snow Leopard – the 2009 release that focused on stability, performance improvements, and bug fixes, rather than dramatic new features.
That doesn’t mean nothing new is coming, mind. A dedicated Siri app is widely expected, along with further Apple Intelligence integrations across Apple’s apps and services. The bigger focus, however, appears to be making the existing experience more reliable.
As always, it’s worth treating rumours with caution until Apple makes things official. Instant Digital has correctly leaked Apple products and accessories in the past, but the account’s record isn’t flawless. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long to find out whether iPhone 11 owners are really about to be left behind with the next iOS 27 update.
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