iOS 27 will be unveiled in just over a week, and rumors indicate there are lots of reasons why the new software might push more people than usual to upgrade to a new iPhone. Apple’s annual September event traditionally introduces both a new iPhone and the latest version of iOS, creating a powerful marketing synergy. However, this year’s update is shaping up to be particularly compelling for upgrade holdouts.
iOS 27 compatibility list won’t tell the whole story
Every year, Apple launches a major new version of iOS at the same time as new iPhones debut. There’s a marketing benefit to this, as seeing all the new features in iOS might motivate users to buy a new, more capable iPhone. But rumors indicate that could be more true than ever this year. Apple has a strong history of supporting older devices with its latest software versions. iOS 26, for example, is compatible with iPhones released up to six years prior, including the iPhone 11 series and later. iOS 27, per rumors, is expected to drop support for four iPhone models: the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and possibly the iPhone SE (2nd generation). However, the biggest reason Apple might see more iPhone upgrades this year isn’t due to those dropped models. Rather, it’s because many of iOS 27’s best features will be limited to AI-supported iPhones.
Why iOS 27’s AI focus could motivate iPhone purchases
Apple Intelligence launched in 2024 with strict hardware requirements. You have to have an iPhone 15 Pro or newer to use Apple’s AI features. iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, and all older iPhones, do not support Apple Intelligence. So even though iOS 27 will likely be compatible with iPhone 12 and newer, anyone with an iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, or even the iPhone 15 (non-Pro) will miss out on its best features. Before now, Apple Intelligence arguably hasn’t provided enough reason to motivate upgrades for most users. But in iOS 27, that could very well change.
The biggest AI draw will be Siri itself. iOS 27’s new Siri is poised to be a massive upgrade for users, with a Gemini-inspired LLM foundation, chatbot interface, dedicated app, onscreen and personal context awareness, and much more. All signs indicate that if your iPhone doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, you’ll be stuck with the old Siri. Similarly, the vast majority of rumors about iOS 27’s new features mention an AI requirement. New Photos app features, custom wallpaper generation, subtitles for all videos, natural language Shortcuts creation, the Camera app’s new Siri mode, Safari improvements, and more—all tied to AI. Apple will have some changes that benefit older iPhones too. But more than ever before, it sounds like iOS 27 will be an AI-heavy update. And as such, it will offer a lot more reason than usual for users with an older iPhone to upgrade.
Historical context: iOS updates and upgrade cycles
To understand the potential impact of iOS 27, it helps to look back at previous major updates. iOS 13 brought Dark Mode and significant performance improvements, which encouraged many users to upgrade from older devices. iOS 14 introduced home screen widgets and the App Library, but compatibility was broad enough that many iPhone 6s and 7 users held on. iOS 15 focused on FaceTime improvements and Focus modes, again without a strong hardware dependency. iOS 16 brought the Lock Screen redesign, but only iPhones with A12 Bionic or later could use Live Activities and some widgets. iOS 17 added StandBy mode and interactive widgets, with a similar cut off at the A12 Bionic. iOS 18, iOS 19, and iOS 20 continued incremental improvements. However, the introduction of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 (for iPhone 15 Pro) marked a turning point. For the first time, a significant suite of features was locked to specific hardware—the A17 Pro or M-series chips. With each subsequent release, the number of AI-exclusive features grew. iOS 21 and 22 expanded on-device AI processing, but the core functionality remained limited to the Pro models. Now, with iOS 27, the reliance on AI is reaching a critical mass. Analysts predict that the percentage of iPhone users with AI-capable devices will jump from around 30% in late 2025 to over 60% by the end of 2026, driven by both new purchases and the removal of older models from the compatibility list.
The Siri revolution: a case study in AI dependence
Perhaps no single feature demonstrates the AI-dependent nature of iOS 27 better than Siri. Since its debut in 2011, Siri has been a semi-intelligent assistant that largely relied on cloud processing. With the advent of large language models like Gemini and ChatGPT, Apple has long been expected to overhaul Siri with on-device LLM capabilities. iOS 27 is rumored to deliver precisely that: a Siri that can understand natural language queries in a conversational manner, maintain context across multiple requests, and even perform actions within apps based on user intent. For example, users could say “Find that photo of my dog from last summer and send it to mom” and Siri would handle the entire workflow. This level of intelligence requires a Neural Engine with at least 16 cores and 8GB of RAM—specifications found only in iPhone 15 Pro and newer models. Users with iPhone 12, 13, or 14 will see a Siri that essentially remains unchanged from iOS 26, relying on pre-defined phrases and limited third-party integrations. The gap between the old Siri and the new Siri will be so stark that even casual users will notice. Apple is betting that this differentiation will drive a significant upgrade wave, especially among the large installed base of iPhone 12 and 13 owners who may still be satisfied with their devices for basic tasks.
Other AI-exclusive features in iOS 27
Beyond Siri, iOS 27 is packed with AI-only enhancements. The Photos app will gain the ability to remove objects from images, adjust lighting and composition with natural language commands, and automatically create curated albums based on events and people. Custom wallpaper generation will allow users to describe a desired aesthetic, and the AI will produce a unique wallpaper that matches. Subtitles for all videos, including streaming and social media content, will be generated in real time using on-device speech recognition. The Shortcuts app will accept natural language queries to create complex automations without any programming knowledge. The Camera app will feature a new Siri mode that can take photos or start recording based on voice commands, with intelligent framing and subject tracking. Safari improvements include AI-summarized web pages, smart tab grouping, and a new privacy-focused browsing mode. All of these features require the Apple Intelligence hardware stack. While Apple may offer a handful of non-AI improvements—such as a redesigned Control Center, new emoji, and bug fixes—the sexiest features are clearly reserved for the latest hardware.
Impact on the secondary market and upgrade incentives
The focus on AI in iOS 27 could have ripple effects beyond just new iPhone sales. The secondary market for older iPhones will likely see price drops, especially for the iPhone 12 and 13 series, as their inability to run iOS 27’s best features becomes widely known. Trade-in values for non-AI devices may drop, while values for iPhone 15 Pro and newer models could hold or increase. Apple’s trade-in and financing programs will likely be promoted aggressively alongside the iOS 27 announcement. Carriers are also expected to offer attractive deals for users moving to an AI-capable iPhone, similar to the 5G upgrade push a few years ago. For enterprise users, the decision to upgrade may be driven by productivity gains from the new Siri and Shortcuts capabilities. IT departments may see iOS 27 as a reason to standardize on a newer fleet of devices to enable AI-driven workflows.
User sentiment and potential backlash
Not everyone will be thrilled with the AI-first approach. Some users are concerned about privacy implications of on-device AI, even though Apple emphasizes that processing happens locally. Others may feel forced to upgrade prematurely, arguing that previous iOS releases had broader support. However, Apple has a history of gradually shifting hardware requirements—for example, iOS 13 dropped iPhone 5s and 6, and iOS 16 dropped iPhone 6s and 7. The AI transition is simply the next logical step. The company is likely to frame it as an opportunity to experience the future of computing, not as a penalty for owning older devices. Still, the criticism could mount if Apple is seen as holding back features that could technically run on older hardware with reduced performance. Apple’s response will be that the user experience must be seamless and that AI co-processors are essential for both performance and battery life.
Best iPhone accessories for the upgrade
- MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone
- 10-year AirTag battery case
- AirPods Pro 3
- AirTag 2 (1-pack / 4-pack)
- 100W USB-C fast charging power adapter
Do you think AI will start to matter more for iPhone users with iOS 27? Let us know in the comments.
Source: 9to5Mac News