Apple · WWDC 2026 · Apple shoppers
Which iPhones Get iOS 27? The Full Compatibility List
Updated June 2026
iOS 27 installs on the same iPhones as iOS 26 — iPhone 11 and later, plus the second-generation iPhone SE and up. Every supported model gets the design, performance and family-safety updates, but the new Gemini-powered Siri and Apple Intelligence require an iPhone 16 or later, or a 15 Pro.
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At WWDC 2026 on June 8, Apple announced iOS 27 alongside a from-scratch rebuild of Siri, now running on Apple Intelligence and powered in part by Google's Gemini models. The first question most people have is simple: will my iPhone get it? The answer has two layers, and they matter at different times. iOS 27 itself supports a wide range of phones, going all the way back to iPhone 11. But the headline features everyone actually wants, the new conversational Siri and the rest of Apple Intelligence, run on a much shorter list. This guide lays out both lists plainly, explains the split, and helps you decide whether you update your software, upgrade your phone, or sit tight. Apple released developer betas on June 8, a public beta is planned for July, and the free update ships this fall.
| iPhone | Installs iOS 27? | Gets new Siri / Apple Intelligence? | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 17 | Yes | Yes (iPhone 16 and later) | Buy at Amazon |
| Apple iPhone 16 | Yes | Yes (entry point to Apple Intelligence) | Buy at Amazon |
| Apple iPhone 15 (non-Pro) | Yes | No — needs 15 Pro or 16+ | Buy at Amazon |
| Apple iPhone SE | Yes | No | Buy at Amazon |
| Apple iPhone 11 | Yes | No, but gets the speed and design upgrades | Buy at Amazon |
The full iOS 27 device list (it goes back to iPhone 11)
Apple says iOS 27 supports the same iPhones as iOS 26: iPhone 11 and later, plus the 2nd-generation iPhone SE and later. That means the 11, 15, 16, and 17 lines all install iOS 27, and so does the iPhone SE. If your phone ran iOS 26, it will run iOS 27. Apple also highlighted a system-level speed pass that helps older hardware: a CPU scheduler change Apple specifically said benefits devices as far back as iPhone 11, alongside apps launching up to 30% faster and Photos opening up to 70% faster. So an older supported iPhone genuinely feels better after updating, even before you touch any AI. The update is free.
Pros
- Free update, same install list as iOS 26 (iPhone 11 and later, SE 2nd-gen and later)
- System speed improvements Apple says reach back to iPhone 11
- Refined Liquid Glass design with a new opacity slider to tone down transparency
Cons
- Older supported phones do not get the new Siri or Apple Intelligence
- "Supports iOS 27" is not the same as "runs the new AI features"
- Apple iPhone 11 (Unlocked) — Amazon · See price on Amazon
- Apple iPhone 15 (128GB, Black) — Amazon · See price on Amazon
The catch: the new Siri and Apple Intelligence need newer hardware
Here is the part that matters at the cash register. The rebuilt Siri and Apple Intelligence Apple announced run only on iPhone 16 and later, plus iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. They do not run on the standard iPhone 15, the iPhone SE, the iPhone 14, the iPhone 11, or anything older. (On Mac the same Apple Intelligence features need an M1 chip or later, and on Apple Watch the Series 10 or later paired with a supported iPhone.) So an iPhone 11 owner can install iOS 27 and enjoy the speed gains and design refresh, but will not get the conversational, on-screen-aware Siri, the dedicated Siri app, Image Playground, smart replies that mimic your writing style, or the agentic password updating. If those AI features are why you're interested in iOS 27, your phone is the deciding factor, not the software.
- Apple iPhone 16 (256GB, Pink) — Amazon · See price on Amazon
- Apple iPhone 17 (Black) — Amazon · See price on Amazon
- Apple iPhone 15 (128GB, Black) — Amazon · See price on Amazon
What the new Siri and Apple Intelligence actually do
Apple rebuilt Siri on Apple Intelligence, powered in part by Google's Gemini models. It understands personal context and what's on your screen, holds back-and-forth conversations, and can act: adding photos to albums, setting reminders, suggesting recipes, and giving feedback on documents. There's also a dedicated Siri app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac with text and image generation and file analysis. Apple also added customizable voice expressiveness and speech rate, improved dictation, and a Dynamic Island animation on compatible iPhones. Beyond Siri, Apple Intelligence brings Safari tab organization and custom extensions, one-tap password strengthening that can update the site for you, writing-style smart replies in Messages and Mail, plain-language Calendar events, and Image Playground for photorealistic images and wallpapers. Two honest limitations Apple noted: it's English only at launch, and it's delayed in the EU on iPhone and iPad due to the Digital Markets Act.
- Apple iPhone 17 (Black) — Amazon · See price on Amazon
- Apple iPhone 16 (256GB, Pink) — Amazon · See price on Amazon
Should you update the OS or upgrade the phone?
If you own an iPhone 16 or later, or a 15 Pro, the choice is easy: update to iOS 27 when it ships this fall and you get everything, including the new Siri. If you have an iPhone 11, a standard iPhone 15, or an SE, still update, because you get the speed improvements, the design refresh, the better Camera controls, full-resolution iCloud shared albums (now working on Android and Windows too), and accessibility upgrades, all for free. The only reason to buy a new phone is if you specifically want Apple Intelligence. In that case the standard iPhone 16 is the entry point into the AI features, the iPhone 17 is the current mainstream pick, and the value-focused iPhone 17e is worth weighing. Note that the non-Pro iPhone 15 will not run the new Siri. Don't upgrade out of fear of being left behind on iOS itself; you won't be.
- Apple iPhone 16 (256GB, Pink) — Amazon · See price on Amazon
- Apple iPhone 17 (Black) — Amazon · See price on Amazon
- Apple iPhone 17e (512GB, Black) — Amazon · See price on Amazon
Beyond Siri: what every supported iPhone gets
Even without Apple Intelligence, iOS 27 is a real upgrade. Apple announced AirDrop transfers up to 80% faster, a rebuilt system search foundation that makes Spotlight, Mail, and Photos more stable, and a Camera app with customizable, reorderable controls plus advanced depth-of-field and exposure options. The Liquid Glass look introduced in iOS 26 is refined, and a new opacity slider lets you dial transparency down if it bothered you. iCloud shared albums now keep full-resolution photos and work on Android and Windows. Parents get stronger controls: mandatory child accounts for under-13s (extendable to 18), contact restrictions for Phone, FaceTime, and Messages, a permission-request system for apps and websites, enhanced Screen Time, and the ability to set up an Apple Watch for a child without an iPhone. These apply across the supported lineup, not just the newest phones.
- Apple iPhone 11 (Unlocked) — Amazon · See price on Amazon
- Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS + Cellular) — Amazon · See price on Amazon
The verdict
If you have an iPhone 16 or later or a 15 Pro, update to iOS 27 this fall and you get everything, including the rebuilt Siri. If you have an iPhone 11, a standard 15, or an SE, still update; it's free and brings real speed, design, and Camera improvements, just not the new AI. Only buy a new phone if Apple Intelligence is the specific thing you want, in which case the iPhone 16 is the entry point and the iPhone 17 is the mainstream pick.
Who should skip this
Skip a phone upgrade if you don't care about the new Siri or Apple Intelligence; iOS 27 itself runs fine on your iPhone 11, 15, or SE and you'll get the speed and design gains for free. Also temper EU expectations for now, since Apple is delaying the new Siri there on iPhone and iPad under the Digital Markets Act, and hold off if you need a language other than English, which isn't supported at launch.
How we chose
We mapped iOS 27 compatibility against Apple's WWDC 2026 announcements, separating two things people conflate: which iPhones can install iOS 27 (iPhone 11 and later, SE 2nd-gen and later, the same list as iOS 26) versus which can run the new Siri and Apple Intelligence (iPhone 16 and later, plus 15 Pro). We use only Apple's stated device support and feature claims, attribute performance figures as Apple's own, and quote no prices since they shift.
Frequently asked
Will iOS 27 work on my iPhone 11?
Yes. Apple says iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 and later, the same list as iOS 26, so your iPhone 11 installs the update and gets the speed and design improvements. However, it will not run the new Siri or Apple Intelligence, which require iPhone 16 and later or iPhone 15 Pro.
Does the iPhone 15 get the new Siri?
Only the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max do. The standard iPhone 15 installs iOS 27 but does not run the new Siri or Apple Intelligence, because those features need an iPhone 16 or later, or a 15 Pro model.
What's the cheapest iPhone that runs Apple Intelligence?
Among current options, the standard iPhone 16 is the entry point into Apple Intelligence and the new Siri. The iPhone 16 and every later model support the AI features; the iPhone 15 Pro also qualifies if you can still find one.
When does iOS 27 come out?
Apple released developer betas on June 8, 2026, with a public beta planned for July and the full free release this fall. The public version arrives for all supported iPhones as a free update.
Is it worth updating to iOS 27 if my phone can't run the new Siri?
Yes. Even without Apple Intelligence, Apple says iOS 27 brings faster app launches, AirDrop up to 80% faster, a refined design with an opacity slider, improved Camera controls, full-resolution iCloud shared albums, and stronger parental controls. The update is free.
Why isn't the new Siri available everywhere?
Apple noted two launch limitations: the new Siri and Apple Intelligence are English only at first, and they're delayed in the EU on iPhone and iPad due to the Digital Markets Act.
Related guides
- Apple WWDC 2026: Everything Announced (iOS 27 & Siri)
- The New Siri (2026): What It Does & Which iPhones Run It
- Apple Intelligence 2026: Which Devices Support It
- iOS 27 vs iOS 26: Should You Update Your iPhone?
- Should You Buy an iPhone Right After WWDC 2026 — or Wait?
- iPadOS 27 and the New Siri App: The Best iPad to Buy in 2026
- macOS 27 "Golden Gate": What's New and the Best Mac to Run It
- WWDC 2026 AirPods: New Features & Which Ones Get Them
- iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 After WWDC 2026: Which Should You Buy?
- iPhone Air After WWDC 2026: Is It Worth Buying?