watchOS 11 Rumored to Drop Support for Apple Watch Series 4

[MacRumors]

Apple's upcoming watchOS 11 update will drop support for 2018's Apple Watch Series 4, according to iPhoneSoft.

After five years of receiving the latest software updates, Apple Watch Series 3 lost support upon the release of watchOS 9 in 2022. Last year's watchOS 10 update was compatible with all of the same Apple Watch models as watchOS 9, but a new rumor claims that watchOS 11 will drop support for the oldest currently supported Apple smartwatch: the Apple Watch Series 4. The full device compatibility list for watchOS 11 is said to be as follows:

• Apple Watch Series 5 (2019)
• Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)
• Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)
• Apple Watch Series 8 (2022)
• Apple Watch Series 9 (2023)
• Apple Watch SE (first generation, 2020)
• Apple Watch SE (second generation, 2022)
• Apple Watch Ultra (first generation, 2022)
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023)

The Apple Watch Series 4 debuted alongside the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max in 2018, introducing the device's first ever redesign, a larger display, double the amount of storage, Fall Detection, and the ability to take an ECG.

Last year, iOS 17 dropped support for the iPhone X, but iOS 18 is rumored to support all of the same models as its predecessor. Apple is expected to preview watchOS 11, iOS 18, and its other next-generation software updates at WWDC on June 10. The updates will likely release to the public in the fall.

Article Link: watchOS 11 Rumored to Drop Support for Apple Watch Series 4

 

[truthsteve]

whenever someone accuses Apple of doing planned obsolescence, years of software updates immediately destroy their argument.

 

[Godspeed8230]

I just so hope they re-design the Smart Stack with watchOS 11

 

[LightProtector]

As an owner of the Series 3, what am I missing with the newer models and software updates?

 

[Motawa]

this might be a stretch but:
Wasnt there a report that apple found a way to use storage for some AI processing? The watch 4 only has 16gb storage and since the watch 5 all of them have 32 gb(I always wondered what for, maybe for this?)

 

[Babu Life]

kinda lame when my series 4 works perfectly still

 

[simbo123]

This will be disappointing if true because the Series 4 SIP is the same (performance wise) as the Series 5 and SE 1st Gen.

Would be better if they supported Series 4 one more year and then dropped all three devices.

 

[contacos]

I am so out of the loop with the Apple Watch. I just had to google search my model number to figure out which one I have apparently it is a Series 6. Going to last me another good 2 years I guess (I just recently got the whole watch replaced with AppleCare+ battery replacement).

I only really use it as a "watch" and as a notification "buzz" so I do not have to check my iPhone all the time.

 

[Nekronos]

whenever someone accuses Apple of doing planned obsolescence, years of software updates immediately destroy their argument.

On the contrary it supports said argument, Windows has always surpassed MacOS in terms of years of updates and android has now surpassed iOS for updates.

Given the touted quality and longevity of Apple's hardware, one would expect more years of updates but going back to the planned obsolescence argument, it's clear Apple wants you to upgrade your device every few years - and why wouldn't they, they make their money on hardware, not software.

 

[scrapesleon]

Doesn’t make sense when the series 5 is basically the same spec

 

[biggest father1]

I was expecting this would happen for either WatchOS 11 or 12, unfortunately. I still have a Series 4 and have been thinking about upgrading it but as others have said, it's a tank and is still working great!

 

[Whats-a-computer?]

This will be disappointing if true because the Series 4 SIP is the same (performance wise) as the Series 5 and SE 1st Gen.

Would be better if they supported Series 4 one more year and then dropped all three devices.

Thats exactly what i thought. Only thing i could think of is that the 16Gb of storage isnt enough for watchOS 11. But i dont think so. Seems like they want people to buy new watches.

 

[GermanSuplex]

I just upgraded mine after four years. Was a good watch while it lasted. Software updates through the life of the watch, and I didn't miss out on any earth-shattering features either. I only upgraded because battery life was starting to just barely get a full day.

 

[boak]

Maybe Apple is trying to avoid the storage issue when updating watchOS?

 

[tipoo]

Wondering if the X will feature any new levels of AI health coaching, or everything supported will get it. Does it bring us something new for dropping a model?

 

[ELman]

As an owner of the Series 3, what am I missing with the newer models and software updates?

Faster system all the way around. Updating the Series 3 I owned was painfully slow. And if your not running the cellular versions your stuck at 8GB of storage.

 

[boak]

Apple Watch Series 4 apparently also has slightly less RAM?

 

[MJaP]

Does it matter? Are there any Apple Watch viruses in the wild? Will the Apple Watch 4 stop communicating with your iPhone if it isn't on the latest firmware version?

 

[Spock]

Sounds to me like the Series 4 had a good run.

 

[contacos]

Doesn’t make sense when the series 5 is basically the same spec

Half the storage I think?

 

[Chet-NYC]

This should hardly be a surprise. Apple products usually can't update to the next OS after seven years. This is right on schedule and hell of a lot better than Android, which often age out at three or four years.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Still good for a few more years I guess
quick google i have a titanium S6 with 32gb storage

 

[bierdybard]

whenever someone accuses Apple of doing planned obsolescence, years of software updates immediately destroy their argument.

Except that in this case, there is literally no other reason to drop Series 4 other than to get people to upgrade. Series 4 and Series 5 share the same SIP. Dropping Series 4 without dropping Series 5 can have no other reason than to try and get people to upgrade.

 

[salz4life]

My Series 4 is still working well. I'll probably still keep for the forseeable future.

 

[tridley68]

Sounds about right squeezing you to purchase a newer Apple Watch🤔