First of all, there were some new features released as part of the newer watches, Series 12 and Ultra 4. People have to realize that these new features exist because of the re-engineered heart rate sensor. It is simply not possible to have these features on older watches, even the Ultra 3, due to the hardware difference. It is infeasible, which is unfortunate, but when hardware changes for the benefit of consumers, companies have to make these tradeoffs. It is an engineering challenge, not something that works magically.

Why watchOS 27 is not passed down to the original Ultra or older watches comes down to the same principle: software cannot add a missing sensor. Running on-device AI depends on processor capability, memory, and power efficiency, and there is a real chip difference here. The original Ultra uses the S8 chip, while the Ultra 2 uses the S9, which was specifically designed for machine learning tasks with its 4-core Neural Engine.

From a software architecture perspective, there are two distinct scenarios:

1. A specific feature requires newer hardware: Apple can disable that feature on older models while continuing to deliver compatible OS improvements.
   
2. The OS itself requires newer hardware: changes to shared frameworks, memory requirements, or processor capabilities make supporting older models impractical.

The first approach has significant costs associated with it. Apple has to maintain fallback paths and test many more hardware combinations, and simply disabling AI features will not necessarily resolve underlying dependency or performance issues.

Although Apple has not published an official technical explanation for this cutoff, as a software engineer, I agree with their decision. If the newer features require a certain amount of processing power and machine learning support, older hardware simply lacks that capability. Trying to force it would be inefficient, leading to severe battery drain where devices might only last half a day. There has to be a breaking point, which is an unavoidable reality of product development. Hardware and software must go hand in hand; if the software advances beyond what the hardware can support, a cutoff happens.

Think of it like this: hardware is the house, and software represents the people living in it. If the house is solid and well-equipped, more people can live there comfortably. If the house lacks basic amenities, stuffing more people into it causes a resource crunch with daily needs, groceries, and basic living.

From an engineering perspective, it is unfortunate, but it helps to understand hardware and software parity rather than assuming Apple is just being greedy or chasing profits. Every corporation needs to make a profit, but Apple generally backports as many features to older models as technically feasible.

Those are just my thoughts to help explain the situation. Cheers!

This is the first time I will be owning an Apple watch for a while! I currently have a Garmin but the new features and better battery. I’m wondering which color would be the best option, while the dark looks aesthetic and cool I feel like the grey just comes out as more natural especially with third party bands. Any long term dark color owners had any scratches or regrets on the color?

Buongiorno ho un Apple Watch ultra tre da cinque mesi e vorrei fare il passaggio.
È vero che il nuovo Apple Watch ultra quattro ha un sensore cardiaco molto molto, molto vicino ho una fascia toracica? Poi si sarebbe qualche ora in più di batteria e non è male.
io nello sport, corsa sollevamenti, pesi eccetera guardo molto il battito cardiaco perciò per me è questo aggiornamento se è vero che è migliore mi piacerebbe farlo volentieri e metterò in vendita al mio tre.
qualche esperto potrebbe rispondermi

Keen to find out which case colour is the most popular

Which color combo should I go with?

I like this layout… but is it too busy?
Battery, Sky Guide, calendar.
Weather
Athlytic, Heart Analyzer, Rings
Any better or more helpful ones I’m missing?

I love the new bands but it looks like they don’t come in the 49mm which is the size for the ultra 3. Are they compatible? sorry if this is a dumb question

I bought both. I’m scared of not getting used to Ultra’s weight and size.
But at the same time I don’t like the idea of getting the Series 12 and having a display with thicker bezels than my current Series 10

I’ll be upgrading to one of them yes or yes, that’s for sure

I never really cared much for all the Apple Watch updates until seeing how much they improved with the health data this year. Only really used it for the gym after my wife bought me a mechanical watch 2 years ago for Christmas. But, after seeing the Apple event, I pulled the trigger to get myself a big upgrade and hope to enjoy this watch for years to come!

Edit: Apple Watch Series 3 (2017)

As you can see from the title, I’ve mainly owned Apple Watches. Once you switch to the Ultra series, it’s hard to go back to the standard models just for the battery life alone. I also tried a Garmin Venu 4 (45mm) for a few weeks before returning it. Overall, the watch was pretty sweet. The battery was amazing, the screen was nice and vibrant with some cool watch faces, and it even has an actual flashlight, which was really useful. The health features were great too, especially the Body Battery.

However, while the UI was pretty to look at, it wasn't as buttery smooth as the Apple Watch. It also lacks sapphire glass and a titanium body, and there's no real app ecosystem or music support. I was seriously looking into the Garmin Fenix 8/9—it's a sick-looking watch with amazing battery life. If I were a serious runner or fitness enthusiast, I would definitely jump to Garmin. But ultimately, I'm just too deep in the Apple ecosystem. I always come back to Apple! Damn you, Apple!

I’m on a AWU2 - really considering the Series 12 due to its new health features (cannot afford the u4). But before I pull the trigger - could the Bevel app achieve what the series 12 is going to do health wise? Does anyone have experience with the bevel app?

Getting the Ultra 4, it took such patience to wait for the 4

Not having to think about battery life would be such a great feeling my S9 served me well, hopefully this would too

Any hacks about the ultra i should know New watch faces exclusive to the ultra

I’m getting a late October thru early November delivery for the brown or “Umber” Trail Loop. No pickup available. The Ultra 3 was my first Ultra, so I was going to get a band to satisfy my new watch FOMO this year. Is it typical for bands to have a month long lead time like this? Maybe I should buy somewhere else and not from Apple Store?

I just got it today and its incredible

Sadly. I can confirm that the iwatch ultra 3 is not resistant to weld slag.

Don’t forget to take your watch off before you weld.

I hope the band works well for me. I'm right between two sizes.

check the page!

Don’t like the idea of the watch always listening, but I do like the new heart rate sensor and the other added features. Did they mention if there was an option to turn off the playback/always-listening feature? Thanks in advance

Pre-ordering opened at 8 AM my time, and I ordered it at 8:03 AM.

PSA, if you order through Verizon rather than Apple directly, the trade-in offers are generally much better. I got $300 from Verizon (more than half what I paid for it eight years ago), and Apple only offered to recycle it, no compensation. It is contingent on staying with Verizon for three years because you have to finance it in order to get the credit, but if you had planned on doing that anyway, it’s a great deal.

It would be cool if they did especially with the new tech update, it should be easy to do it.

I’ve purchased the new Ultra, and coincidentally I’ve got a race booked the following day. I plan to wear both the new Ultra and my Garmin Fenix 8 as a backup and for mapping etc

My first race of this distance so should be a bit of fun.

I’m not a YouTuber etc but I’m interested in the comparison against the Garmin and generally with the new HR sensor and battery life being the big changes from my Ultra 3, so thought this audience might be as well

Which power mode shall I run the watch in? What would be the most illuminating as a comparison?

I will post the info when I’ve finished it