In a statement provided to 9to5Mac, Apple has revealed its decision to cease sales of its flagship Apple Watch models in the United States. The affected models, namely the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, will be discontinued for purchase from Apple’s official channels, starting later this week.
This strategic move follows an International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling as part of an extended patent dispute between Apple and medical technology company Masimo concerning the blood oxygen sensor technology incorporated in the Apple Watch.
Effective 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 will no longer be available for order on Apple’s U.S. website. In-store inventory at Apple retail locations will be depleted after December 24.
The ITC had previously announced its decision in October, affirming a judge’s ruling from January and triggering a 60-day Presidential Review Period under the Biden administration. Although President Biden has not exercised veto power to date, the Presidential Review Period is set to expire on December 25. Apple’s announcement today is a preemptive measure to comply with the ITC’s decision.
Apple specifies that the ITC’s ban is exclusive to the sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 due to their blood oxygen monitoring capabilities. The more basic Apple Watch SE, lacking this feature, remains unaffected and will continue to be available for purchase.
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Presently, the ITC’s ruling only restricts Apple from selling the affected Apple Watch models directly, allowing them to be accessible through alternative outlets like Amazon and Best Buy. However, post-December 25, the ruling extends to blocking all imports of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 to the United States. This would also prevent Apple from selling these devices to resellers, potentially impacting the availability of these models across various retailers.
It is important to note that existing Apple Watches with a blood oxygen sensor, sold before December 25, are unaffected by this development. The ITC ban solely pertains to the sale of new units of the specified Apple Watch models. Furthermore, the ITC order allows exceptions for the servicing, repair, or warranty period of units sold before the cutoff date. The blood oxygen monitoring functionality in previously sold Apple Watch models will continue to operate without any changes.
