Caitlin Cimino/Android Authority
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- Apple will temporarily discontinue sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States. Online sales stop as of December 21, while retail sites will stop selling these watches after December 24.
- This decision comes on the heels of a patent dispute ruling halting sales and imports of infringing Apple Watches.
- There is no clarity on when the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 will resume sales in the United States.
Wow, I didn’t see this coming. Apple has just announced that it will stop selling the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the US later this week. The move comes in the wake of a patent dispute over the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen sensing technology.
In a statement to 9to5MacApple shared the following:
A presidential review period is underway on an order from the U.S. International Trade Commission regarding a technical intellectual property dispute related to Apple Watch devices containing the Blood Oxygen feature. Although the review period will not end until December 25, Apple is taking proactive steps to comply in the event of a ruling. This includes pausing sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 on Apple.com starting December 21, and from Apple retail locations after December 24.
Apple teams work tirelessly to create products and services that empower users with industry-leading health, wellness and safety features. Apple strongly disagrees and is pursuing a range of legal and technical options to ensure Apple Watch is available to customers.
If demand persists, Apple will continue to take all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the US as soon as possible.
As stated in the statement, Apple will stop selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States. Online sales from Apple.com will stop starting December 21, while Apple retail locations will stop selling these two watches after December 24, 2023.
The statement refers to an order from the US International Trade Commission (US ITC). In October, the US International Trade Commission upheld that Apple infringed two patents by medical technology company Masimo, both related to its light-based pulse oximeter feature. This ruling then initiated a 60-day presidential review period allowing the US President to intervene and veto the ITC’s potential ban on sales and imports of violative products. However, the Biden administration has not intervened yet, meaning the clock is still ticking toward the December 25 deadline.
Apple has decided to proactively remove the latest Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 from shelves. The decision affects these two watches, as they include capabilities for monitoring blood oxygen levels. The lower-end Apple Watch SE does not have this feature, so it will still be available for customers to purchase.
If the Biden administration decides not to veto the ITC’s decision, Apple will need to appeal the ITC’s decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. According to 9to5MacAccording to the committee’s report, this appeal will be filed on December 26, once the veto deadline expires. Until the Court of Appeal grants some interim relief or announces the appeal ruling, smart watches will remain banned for sale and import.
Apple has some other solutions as well. It can reach a settlement and licensing agreement with Masimo. It can also make firmware changes to disable features that infringe the patent. However, it remains to be seen whether these software limitations will meet the terms of the patent.
Right now, if you want to buy an Apple Watch, you have a few days before you can get it for a while directly from Apple. Third-party outlets like Amazon and Best Buy should be able to sell the watch while supplies last. Once inventory runs out, Apple cannot import any more units if the ruling remains in effect.
Apple Watch Series 9
Powerful new processor • Improved display with 2,000 nits brightness • New gesture controls and Siri features
The most convenient smartwatch from Apple
The new S9 chip makes the Apple Watch Series 9 the most capable and battery-friendly Apple Watch yet. Enjoy enhanced security, enhanced functionality in low-contact situations, and enhanced health tracking. Introducing the new double tap gesture.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Additional Buttons and Functions • Great battery life
The perfect Apple smart watch
One step away from having a fully-functioning smartphone and fitness tracker strapped to your wrist, the Appel Watch Ultra 2 offers powerful connectivity and connectivity features, great outdoor functionality, and a semi-rugged design. The Ultra line offers a larger screen than standard Apple Watches.
If you already own a previous Apple Watch with a blood oxygen sensor (introduced with the Apple Watch Series 6), you won’t be affected by this development.
Apple is known for constantly innovating and updating its product lineup, and it looks like the Apple Watch is the next in line for a refresh. Rumors have been circulating that Apple will soon stop selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US, signaling the imminent arrival of new models. This news has left many consumers eagerly anticipating the next iteration of Apple’s popular smartwatch, with speculation rife about the potential features and improvements that could be on the horizon. As the tech world awaits an official announcement from Apple, the impending discontinuation of the current models has sparked a buzz of excitement and curiosity.