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watchOS 11 Drops Support for These Apple Watch Models

I bought my SE 2020 shortly before the 2022 came out. I’m very disappointed that I got less than 2 years of software updates for it. This it the last Apple Watch I’ve bought. I don’t think Apple will provide security updates to it for long.

I don’t understand why the $149 Apple TV HD gets support for 10 years whilst the $399 Apple Watch only gets 4 years.
 
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MacRumors said:


As was rumored, watchOS 11 drops support for the Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, and first-generation Apple Watch SE, according to Apple's website.

apple-watch-series-4-flames.jpg

The update is compatible with all other models, including the Apple Watch Series 6 and beyond:

  • Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
    Apple Watch Series 6
  • Apple Watch Series 7
  • Apple Watch Series 8
  • Apple Watch Series 9
  • Apple Watch Ultra
  • Apple Watch Ultra 2

Even though the Series 5 has an S5 chip, it has the same processor as the S4 chip in the Series 4, so it is not too surprising that Apple dropped support for these models simultaneously. Key changes with the Series 5 compared to the Series 4 included an always-on display option, increased storage, and a compass.

watchOS 11 continues to work with a paired iPhone XS or newer. A developer beta is available starting today, and a public beta will follow in July.

The general public can expect watchOS 11 to be released in September.

Article Link: watchOS 11 Drops Support for These Apple Watch Models
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This is why I only buy the very cheapest Apple Watch as they as they are essentially disposable.
 
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The new features in watchOS 11 are not overwhelming for me too but the point is that watchOS 10 won’t get security updates for long so it quickly gets unsafe.

Technically there’s no reason why the SE (as well Series 4 and 5) get dropped with watchOS 11. It’s does not have any major changes which require a more powerful processor.

The Apple TV HD which has the Apple A8 in it will get the iOS 18 based tvOS 18.

If Apple wants to force the customers to replace their perfectly working watches (mine has 97% battery life left) my clear answer is that I will never buy one again. I understand when they drop devices if they can simply not handle the new software version but this is a kind of planned obsolescence.
 
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b251 said:
The new features in watchOS 11 are not overwhelming for me too but the point is that watchOS 10 won’t get security updates for long so it quickly gets unsafe.

Technically there’s no reason why the SE (as well Series 4 and 5) get dropped with watchOS 11. It’s does not have any major changes which require a more powerful processor.

The Apple TV HD which has the Apple A8 in it will get the iOS 18 based tvOS 18.

If Apple wants to force the customers to replace their perfectly working watches (mine has 97% battery life left) my answer is that I will never buy one again.
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I feel you bro, I will not buy one ever again… Omega watches there we go!
 
rotvaldi said:
What a ******** to kill watches at 4 years… dude the SE 1st gen came out same as S6 like forreal
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I’m sorry, did Apple announce they’re killing older watches? Are they sending Craig to your house to stomp on it?

It will work exactly like it did before watchOS 11 was announced, calm down.
 
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I mean that's why I bought Apple Watch (SE), I was sure it'll be supported for 5 years at least. I'm disappointed too because there were many cool Android watches for the same price + much better battery life.
But anyway, I'll switch soon anyway. Apple just copies features from others.
 
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My Series 4 has been a trusty companion but is struggling to keep a charge. 9 or X is the right time to upgrade for me.
 
rotvaldi said:
What a ******** to kill watches at 4 years… dude the SE 1st gen came out same as S6 like forreal
Click to expand...
And yet I'm over here and still rocking my Series 2. Guess I've been *really* lucky with my battery; of course it needs two charging sessions a day but I easily work that into my schedule. Looking forward to an upgrade later this year.
 
aca345 said:
Series 5 owner here. Disappointed, but not surprised. It is a strange feeling for me though as usually I don't keep Apple devices long enough for them to no longer receive new software updates, haha.
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Think of all the people that wanted the cheapest Apple Watch, right up until ~20 months ago, before the SE 2nd gen came out.

All those people bought the OG SE! Which still works pretty well for most people... it has the S5 SoC.
 
BeatCrazy said:
Do we know this for sure? I realize this may sound ignorant, but if you have an iOS 18 device (iPhone 14), can it still pair/sync to a watch stuck on watchOS 10?
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This has always been the case. There are plenty of users here with watches that don’t get updated anymore that they are using daily.
 
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