Will Big Sur ever be compatible with a mid-2012 MacBook Pro?

You asked a question that only needs a one word answer.

Once Apple has decided which macs can upgrade to newer OS like Big Sur

they are not going to make it compatible with older macs.

Apple are in the business of selling macs.

So the short answer is and will always be No.

Not always a hardware issue, the software/ install of Big Sur checks your mac and if it sees your mac is a 2012 model

or older or it will refuse the install.

Told you already Apple are in the business of selling macs, to them it is not desirable to keep supporting older macs

on newer OS's.

it's not so much as "planned obsolescence" as it is about how fast hardware and software progresses. even if your mac's RAM can be increased, and the HDD was swapped for an SSD there are many other things that cannot be replaced. no matter how deep your pockets. those include the processor and the graphics card. and, you must admit, 9 years is a long life for a computer. and catalina SHOULD be supported for another couple years, so no need to lay your MBP to rest yet. :)

meganr wrote:

"This list will be updated as other compatible models become available."

That doesn't mean incompatible models will become compatible.

No.

No

meganr wrote:

"This list will be updated as other compatible models become available."

when a new mac is introduced it is a "compatible model" that has "become available."

you're welcome.