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Apple shocks many with surprise announcement about iOS 27

Apple surprised many at WWDC 2026 by announcing iOS 27 support for the iPhone 11 line.

By Alan Friedman

Published: Jun 08, 2026, 12:46 PM

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Apple makes surprise WWDC announcement about iOS 27 | Image by PhoneArena

Earlier this year, the rumors called for Apple to drop support for the iPhone 11 series, which was released in 2019. That would mean that those with the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max would lose support for additional iOS updates.

The 2019 iPhone 11 series will receive iOS 27

However, with this afternoon's WWDC 2026 keynote, Apple surprised many by announcing that the iPhone 11 series will receive iOS 27. So to reiterate, iPhone models from the iPhone 11 series and later will be updated in September and receive the stable version of iOS 27. Those models should also be able to install the iOS 27 developer beta as soon as today. Another model, the iPhone SE 2 (2nd-generation), also rumored to be losing support, is receiving the iOS 27 update.

These iPhone models will be updated to iOS 27

To make it much easier to remember, if your iPhone received iOS 26, it will receive iOS 27. So if we were to make a list of iPhone models getting iOS 27, it would look like this:

Last year, Apple dropped iOS support for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. Those models were powered by the A12 Bionic processor.

Apps will open 30% faster in iOS 27 thanks to an improved CPU scheduler

With iOS 27, Apple has improved the CPU scheduler, which should help older models like the iPhone 11 line feel more responsive. In addition, iOS 27 will open apps 30% faster with 80% faster AirDrop file transfers.

Apple is updating the iOS Beta Software Program website. | Image by Apple

Even though your iPhone is receiving iOS 27, it doesn't mean that it will have all of the features available on newer models. Remember, Apple Intelligence requires your iPhone to have no less than 8GB of RAM. AI Siri, as Apple calls the new, updated Siri, will be found on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 lines. This includes the iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPhone 17e.

How to install the iOS 27 developer beta

On iPhone models that are receiving the stable version of iOS 27 later this year, you should be able shortly to install the iOS 27 developer beta (even if you're not a developer). Make sure that you're subscribed to the Apple Beta Software Program, which is currently being updated. Remember that beta software is unstable and features that you use daily might not operate with the beta release.

Which part of iOS 27 is the most important to you?

Also, battery life will be diminished, so keep that in mind. If you can't wait until September for iOS 27, back up your iPhone and go to Settngs > General > Software Update and follow the directions. If it doesn't come up now, try again later.

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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

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