In a surprising twist during the WWDC 2026 keynote, Apple announced that several older iPhone models will receive the highly anticipated iOS 27. Surprisingly, the iPhone 11 series, which was thought to be at the end of its software support lifecycle, is now set to enjoy new features and improvements. This update not only benefits older users but also emphasizes Apple's commitment to longevity in device support.
iOS 27 Coming to the iPhone 11 Series
Earlier this year, speculation hinted that the iPhone 11 series—which includes the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max—would lose support for future iOS updates. However, the announcement today confirms that these devices will indeed be updated to iOS 27. This update will be available in September, with the developer beta accessible as early as today for eligible models, including the previously rumored unsupported iPhone SE (2nd generation).
List of iPhones Receiving iOS 27
The following iPhone models that received iOS 26 are confirmed to receive iOS 27:
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 17e
- iPhone 17
- iPhone Air
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
Last year, Apple chose to drop support for the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, highlighting a significant change in their update strategy.
Performance Improvements in iOS 27
With iOS 27, Apple has revamped the CPU scheduler, leading to a notable boost in performance for devices like the iPhone 11. Users can expect apps to open 30% faster and AirDrop file transfers to improve by 80%, making the overall user experience much smoother.
While older models will benefit from iOS 27, it's important to note that not all features will be available on these devices. For instance, Apple's enhanced Intelligent Siri requires a minimum of 8GB of RAM and will only be found on newer models, such as the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, among others.
Installing the iOS 27 Developer Beta
If you're eager to try out iOS 27 before its official release, the developer beta is now available for those subscribed to the Apple Beta Software Program. Keep in mind that beta software can be unstable and may impact your device’s daily performance, including battery life. To install the beta, back up your iPhone and navigate to Settings > General > Software Update for further instructions.
