Apple's iPadOS 27 will abandon five older iPad models that previously ran iPadOS 26, cutting off devices powered by A12 and A12X chips from the latest software upgrade. This follows the iOS 27 announcement at WWDC26, which maintains compatibility with all devices that supported iOS 26, creating a stark contrast between phone and tablet support policies.

The affected devices include the iPad (8th generation) from 2020, iPad Air (3rd generation) from 2019, iPad mini (5th generation) from 2019, and both iPad Pro models from 2018. While these tablets are 6-8 years old and received substantial software support, leaving them on iPadOS 26 creates a subpar user experience compared to newer iPads.

Two potential solutions could address this gap. Apple could allow downgrades to iPadOS 18, which still receives security updates and would provide better performance on aging hardware. Alternatively, the company could follow its 2022 precedent with Stage Manager, which eventually expanded to support older iPad Pro models despite initial M1-only requirements.

This support cutoff reflects Apple's hardware-focused approach to software updates, prioritizing performance over longevity. Unlike iOS 27's universal compatibility, iPadOS 27's selective support leaves many capable devices behind, raising questions about whether feature limitations could bridge the gap instead of complete abandonment.