Expectations were high at Apple Park during the opening of WWDC26, where doubts about the future of the company's older devices were finally dispelled. Against all predictions, according to some analysts, the Cupertino firm has decided that the
The rollout of this new iteration, called iOS 27, not only aims to add eye-catching features, but also focuses on refining the user experience after a previous version that received criticism for its battery management. Apple has opted for a technical continuity approach, ensuring that no model compatible with iOS 26 It may be ruled out this time. Thus, the transition to the new software will be massive, although with important nuances depending on the processor hidden under the chassis of each device.
Which models will finally be able to install iOS 27?
The official list of compatible devices is extensive and confirms that the A13 Bionic chip still has enough power to drive the system's foundation. In addition to the iPhone 11 family, the second and third generation iPhone SE models will be able to update, as well as the entire iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 lineup. New releases this season, such as the [unclear - possibly "iPhone 11" or "iPhone 12"], will also be supported. The highly anticipated iPhone 17 and the Air modelconsolidating a support catalog that reaches 34 different active models.
Despite this generous compatibility, it's crucial to understand that Apple has drawn a very clear red line regarding hardware. While an iPhone 11 can run the basic operating system, the more demanding processing tools will be beyond its capabilities. This is because the language model execution Locally, it requires an amount of RAM and neural engine power that is only found in the latest Pro versions, leaving older terminals with a functional but simplified version.
For those planning to jump into the developer beta, which is now available, it is strongly recommended to do a backup to iCloud or PC Before proceeding, please note that these are preliminary versions, so the risk of errors is high. While installation is as simple as accessing system settings, absolute stability will not be achieved until the final version is released in mid-September.
Artificial intelligence and its situation in Spain
The star of this presentation was undoubtedly Siri AI, the evolution of the assistant that is now capable of understanding personal context and performing complex actions within applications. However, for users residing in Spain and the rest of the European Union, the news is not so promising due to the restrictions of the Digital Markets ActApple has confirmed that, for the time being, it will not integrate these AI features in European territory as it has not reached an agreement with regulators on privacy and the opening of data to third parties.
This situation means that even if you update an iPhone 15 Pro or later in Spain, you won't see any trace of the new Siri capable of interacting with what's on the screen or intelligently summarizing emails. Apple claims to be working with the European Commission to find a viable solutionBut the reality is that the fall launch will arrive without these features for EU citizens. Meanwhile, in other markets, Siri will transform into a proactive tool thanks to its integration with Google's language models and its new interface on Dynamic Island.
However, the system does retain other visual and usability improvements that don't rely on AI. For example, a new, more customizable control center has been introduced, along with improvements to the Photos app, which now allows for a more in-depth editing of space capturesThese features, along with the revamped camera widget system, will be available to all users, regardless of their geographical location.
Performance improvements and optimization under the hood
One of the areas where Apple has been highlighting its strengths is the device's responsiveness after the update. According to the technical data provided, iOS 27 allows apps to open much faster. 30% faster than previous versionsThanks to a new CPU resource manager, this is especially relevant for iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 owners, as the software is designed to prioritize foreground tasks and reduce unnecessary power consumption—a welcome feature when the battery is a few years old.
Other technical improvements include a dramatic acceleration in file transfers via AirDrop, which can now be up to 80% faster under optimal conditions. Aspects of the interface have also been refined, such as the translucent glass effect The screen now features adjustable opacity, allowing each user to customize the phone's appearance to their personal taste. Furthermore, stricter parental controls have been added to manage screen time and children's safety, enabling more efficient app blocking and real-time location tracking.
The arrival of iOS 27 is a breath of fresh air, ensuring that phones purchased more than five years ago remain useful and secure tools through constant patches. Although the divide between AI-enabled and non-AI-based models is evident, the promised stability and the Full compatibility with existing hardware These results demonstrate that the iPhone 11 still has plenty of life left in it. Users will only have to wait a few more weeks for the final version to arrive on their devices and they can see for themselves if this performance optimization lives up to the hype.
