iPhone 11 and A13 Devices Likely Incompatible with iOS 27

A new leak from NineToFiveMac, citing insider Instant Digital, suggests major changes in iOS 27 compatibility. Four devices might miss out on the next big update: the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and the second-generation iPhone SE. All share one key detail—they run on the A13 Bionic chip.

If these reports hold true, iOS 27 will require at least the A14 Bionic, making the iPhone 12 the oldest supported model. Apple is expected to reveal the official compatibility list at WWDC 2026 on June 8.

Importantly, these phones won't suddenly stop working. Apple will likely keep rolling out security patches for iOS 26 for years, preserving basic functionality and safety. What they will miss are the new features: no Liquid Glass interface, no Siri upgrades, and no future AI-powered capabilities. Even supported devices won't get full AI access—Apple Intelligence features are rumored to remain exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer. This highlights how heavily new functions now depend on neural engine performance.

Technically, dropping the A13 makes sense. That chip debuted in 2019 and is approaching its limits for modern workloads. The A14, by contrast, uses a 5-nanometer process and includes a stronger neural engine—a logical new baseline. Interestingly, iOS 27 itself is rumored to be more of a polish release, similar to Snow Leopard, emphasizing stability, bug fixes, and optimization over flashy new features. That makes the decision to narrow device support puzzling: such refinement cycles usually extend compatibility.

One possible reason: Apple may be laying the groundwork for the more demanding iOS 28, which older chips simply couldn't handle. From that angle, this looks like a forward-thinking move. We'll know for sure at WWDC 2026, where it should become clear whether the iPhone 11 series is truly reaching the end of the update road.