Apple confirmed at WWDC that iOS 27 will support every iPhone from the iPhone 11 onwards. While this extends the lifespan of older devices, base iPhone 15 owners may see lower resale values because the new Siri AI requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, creating a functional divide between updated and intelligent models.
How will iOS 27’s AI requirements impact iPhone resale values?
The upcoming software update creates two different categories of device depreciation. For older models, the risk is losing software support entirely. For the iPhone 15, the risk is “feature obsolescence”—having the software but lacking the headline tools.
According to Sarah McConomy, COO of the price comparison site SellCell, historical data shows that losing software support hits resale prices directly. When the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X lost support following the launch of iOS 17, their values fell by an average of 3.4% within three months and 6.6% over six months.
This data suggests that users like iPhone 11 owners are in a safer position. Because Apple confirmed the iPhone 11 will receive iOS 27, owners may avoid a projected resale drop of roughly $6 over six months, or up to $11 for iPhone 11 Pro Max users.
The distinction between “supported” and “intelligent” is new. Previously, a phone’s value dropped when it could no longer run the latest OS. Now, a phone can be fully updated but still lose value if its hardware can’t run specific AI workloads.
Is the iPhone 15 losing its competitive edge?
The iPhone 15 lineup faces a unique split. Every iPhone 15 model will receive the iOS 27 update, but the base iPhone 15 will not support the new Siri AI. Only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models meet the hardware requirements for Apple’s new intelligence suite.
This creates an awkward market position for the standard iPhone 15. It remains a modern, updated device, but it lacks the “agentic” abilities—such as the ability to automatically change weak passwords—that Apple is using to drive its current narrative.
Consumer interest in these features remains mixed. A CNET survey from September indicated that only 11% of U.S. smartphone owners chose to upgrade specifically because of AI features. This represents a 7% decrease compared to a similar survey from the previous year. However, the utility of these tools could shift that trend as they move from simple demos to practical assistants.
Comparing the “Support Gap” vs. the “AI Gap”
| Device Category | Primary Risk | Impact Type |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 8 / X | Loss of OS Support | Software Cutoff |
| iPhone 15 (Base) | Loss of AI Features | Feature Obsolescence |
Should you upgrade your iPhone now or wait?
Deciding whether to trade in your current device depends on your upgrade cycle. If you plan to move to a newer model within the next two years, you may face a “double whammy” on your wallet.
First, the resale value of a base iPhone 15 may decline as the AI-capable framing of newer devices becomes the market standard. Second, there are reports of potential price increases for the iPhone 18 due to an ongoing memory crisis.
For those looking to upgrade, selling a device before the public beta of iOS 27 lands could help preserve current resale values. Conversely, if you aren’t interested in AI tools, your current device may remain highly functional for several more years. Apple’s decision to extend iOS 27 support to the iPhone 11 suggests that even non-AI phones may receive “stays of execution” for several years after their flagship features become outdated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which iPhones will support iOS 27?
Apple confirmed that iOS 27 will support all iPhone models from the iPhone 11 onwards.
Does the standard iPhone 15 get the new Siri AI?
No. While the base iPhone 15 will receive the iOS 27 update, the Siri AI features require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
Will my iPhone lose value if it doesn’t have AI?
According to data from SellCell, software and feature changes can impact resale values, though the impact is often measured rather than dramatic.
What do you think? Will AI features be the main reason you upgrade your next phone? Let us know in the comments below, or subscribe to our newsletter for more tech market analysis.
