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.
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.
iOS 27, per rumors, is expected to drop support for four iPhone models.
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.
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.
“Teen survey reveals Apple Intelligence will push more iPhone 16 upgrades” – Ryan, Oct 9 2024
“Apple Intelligence will undoubtedly drive an iPhone ‘supercycle,’ but not yet” – Ryan, Jan 29 2025
“New iPhone buyers actually do care about Apple Intelligence” – Ryan, Feb 3 2025
“iPhone users are upgrading devices faster now, likely for Apple Intelligence” – Ryan, Feb 12 2025
How many times is this author going to push this same narrative? “This next thing Apple is going to release will drive upgrades! Oh, it didn’t? That’s fine, surely the next thing Apple is going to release will drive upgrades!”
It’s just embarrassing at this point.
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.
Do you think AI will start to matter more for iPhone users with iOS 27? Let us know in the comments.
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Ryan got his start in journalism as an Editor at MacStories, where he worked for four years covering Apple news, writing app reviews, and more. For two years he co-hosted the Adapt podcast on Relay FM, which focused entirely on the iPad. As a result, it should come as no surprise that his favorite Apple device is the iPad Pro.
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