![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Apple-Watch-Series-9-alternatives-scaled.jpg\"\/ "\\"Apple")
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Kaitlyn Cimino \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n
TL;DR<\/p>\n
Apple announced a surprisingly restrictive compatibility list for watch OS 27 at WWDC 2026, dropping support for six previous models, including the Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, 9, SE 2, and the first-generation Ultra.
\nThe Apple Watch Series 9, launched in late 2023, is missing out after receiving only two major platform updates, even though its contemporary counterpart, the Ultra 2, made the cut.
\nThis unpredictable shift gives Samsung and Google the advantage. Samsung guarantees four years of major updates, while the Pixel Watch 2 is on track to match or outlast the Series 9.<\/p>\n
Update, June 8, 2026 (04:56 PM ET): It appears that Apple\u2019s compatibility list for watch OS 27 may not have been complete, as reports<\/a> are beginning to surface on social media of Series 9 owners successfully installing the watch OS 27 beta. We have yet to spot Apple issuing any correction.<\/p>\n Original article, June 8, 2026 (04:09 PM ET):\u00a0At WWDC 2026, Apple announced that even the iPhone 11 from 2019 is getting iOS 27<\/a>, granting it seven years of major software updates, and putting Google and Samsung to shame. One would presume Apple would continue its streak across other parts of its ecosystem, but, shockingly, watch OS 27\u2019s compatibility list makes Galaxy Watches and even Pixel Watches look much better in comparison.<\/p>\n Apple says watch OS 27 is compatible only with the following smartwatches (when paired with an iPhone running iOS 27):<\/p>\n Apple Watch SE 3 For a company that released such an impressively long iOS 27 compatibility list, this watch OS 27 compatibility list is woefully short.<\/p>\n For context, the watch OS 26 (and watch OS 11) compatibility list included the Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch SE 2, and the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra. None of these watches will receive the latest platform update. Apple hasn\u2019t explicitly labeled these watches as end-of-life, so there\u2019s still hope you\u2019ll receive security updates and bug fixes for watch OS 26. But their time as first-class feature citizens is officially done.<\/p>\n For newer watches like the Series 9 (2023, launched with watch OS 10), this news is quite a gut punch, as the accompanying Apple Watch Ultra 2 makes it to the list. The Series 9 just got two platform updates (watch OS 11 and watch OS 26) before being kicked off the list.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t want to miss the best from Android Authority?<\/p>\n In a surprising turn of events, the historically fragmented Android ecosystem is now the one offering stability.<\/p>\n Google has consistently maintained a guaranteed three-year software update window for its wearable lineup. For instance, the Pixel Watch 2, which also debuted in late 2023 with Wear OS 4, remains cleanly on track to receive its final software update later this October. This update could hopefully be Wear OS 7<\/a>, in which case Google would race ahead of Apple\u2019s update commitment for the Apple Watch Series 9. If not, it still matches the Series 9\u2019s lifespan, and while that\u2019s praise for Google, it\u2019s an incredibly odd look for Apple.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Samsung is cleanly taking the crown here. Since the Galaxy Watch 4 generation, Samsung has committed to a rock-solid four years of major One UI Watch and Wear OS platform updates. The Galaxy Watch 6 from 2023 launched with Wear OS 4 and received Wear OS 5 and Wear OS 6, with two more major platform jumps on the cards.<\/p>\n So now, a Galaxy Watch user can buy a flagship wearable knowing exactly when their support window closes, something you can no longer say about the Apple Watch.<\/p>\n
\nApple Watch Series 10
\nApple Watch Series 11
\nApple Watch Ultra 2
\nApple Watch Ultra 3
\n![\"Apple](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Apple-watch-OS-27-compatibility-list.jpg\"\/ "\\"Apple")
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