Apple Confirms Older Watch Models Excluded from Siri AI Upgrade

June 24, 2026 — David Chen 3 min read

Apple announced this week that several generations of its popular smartwatch will not receive the upcoming Siri artificial intelligence capabilities, a decision that industry analysts say could reshape consumer upgrade cycles and affect secondary market prices for older models.

Which Models Are Left Out

The exclusion covers the Apple Watch Series 3, Series 4, and Series 5, according to the company's technical documentation published on its website. These models, released between 2017 and 2019, collectively represent tens of millions of devices still in active use worldwide. Apple confirmed that the hardware limitations of these older chips prevent them from running the new on-device language models that power the upgraded assistant. The company stated that the neural engine in these earlier processors lacks the computational capacity required for the latest AI features.

Hardware Constraints Behind the Decision

Apple executives explained during a briefing at the company's Cupertino headquarters that the new Siri capabilities demand significantly more processing power than previous iterations. The S-series chips found in older watches were designed before AI processing became a central focus of mobile device development. By contrast, the Apple Watch Series 6 and later models include dedicated neural processing units capable of handling the sophisticated language models locally without relying on cloud connectivity. This architectural difference means older watches cannot simply receive a software update to gain the new functionality.

Market observers note that Apple's decision follows a pattern established with previous feature rollouts, where computationally demanding capabilities have been restricted to newer hardware. The company declined to specify whether a future hardware revision might change this approach for the affected models.

Impact on Consumer Behavior and Resale Markets

The announcement is already influencing the secondhand market for Apple Watches. Data from several resale platforms shows asking prices for Series 6, Series 7, and Series 8 models have increased modestly since the news broke, while values for the excluded generations have softened. Analysts suggest this divergence could accelerate replacement cycles among users of older models who rely heavily on voice assistants for daily tasks.

Retailers in markets across North America and Europe report that consumer inquiries about Apple Watch trade-in values have risen sharply in recent days. Several electronics chains have updated their trade-in pricing structures to reflect the diminished value of older models now that they will miss out on major software features.

Pricing and Market Position

The base model Apple Watch starts at $399 in the United States, positioning it as a premium consumer electronics product rather than a budget accessory. Apple's decision to concentrate AI features on newer hardware reinforces its strategy of using software capabilities to drive hardware upgrades, a approach that has proven effective for iPhone sales cycles. Industry consultants estimate that roughly 35 percent of active Apple Watch users currently own a model that predates the Series 6.

What Comes Next for Affected Users

Owners of the excluded models will continue receiving security updates and basic functionality improvements for the foreseeable future, Apple confirmed. However, they will not access the redesigned Siri interface, enhanced contextual suggestions, or the expanded integration with third-party applications that the new AI system enables. The company advised users considering an upgrade to visit authorized resellers or its online store, where the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 remain available at their current price points.

Apple is expected to officially launch the new Siri capabilities with the upcoming watchOS update, which should arrive alongside the next iPhone release cycle. Users with compatible hardware will receive the update automatically, while those with older watches will see a message indicating their device is not supported when the update becomes available.

The company faces increasing pressure from competitors who have begun embedding AI capabilities across their wearable lineups at various price points. How Apple's hardware-gated approach affects its market share in the smartwatch segment will become clearer as consumer response data emerges over the coming months.