Apple Ceases Sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the U.S.: What You Need to Know
In an unprecedented move, Apple is set to halt the sales of two of its smartwatch models, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9, in the United States. If you’re eyeing one for the holidays, time is of the essence. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the situation:
Why Is Apple Stopping Sales? The abrupt decision is linked to what Apple terms as an “agency order” and legal disputes surrounding intellectual property. Specifically, it revolves around a prolonged disagreement with medical technology company Masimo regarding the blood oxygen sensor technology embedded in Apple Watches—a dispute that Apple has currently lost. This marks an unprecedented move, as Apple has never before removed its watches from sale.
According to Apple’s statement, a Presidential Review Period is underway in response to a U.S. International Trade Commission order regarding the intellectual property dispute related to Apple Watch devices featuring the Blood Oxygen feature. Apple is taking proactive steps to comply with the order, should it be upheld after the review period ending on December 25.
Sales Halt Details: Sales on apple.com for the affected models will cease at 3 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, December 21. In-store purchases or online order pickups from apple.com will conclude at the end of the day on Sunday, December 24.
Which Models Are Affected? The sales suspension applies to two out of the three main Apple Watch models currently sold, excluding certified refurbished products. The Apple Watch SE remains unaffected, as it lacks the blood oxygen monitoring feature central to the dispute. Existing Apple Watches with blood oxygen monitoring are not impacted and will continue to function as intended.
Is the Suspension Global? No, the sales halt is specific to the U.S. and only applies to purchases directly from Apple. The affected models may still be available from other retailers like Amazon until stocks last.
Is It Permanent? Apple describes the suspension as a “pause,” and its continuation depends on the outcome of the Presidential Review Period ending on December 25. If the ruling is overturned, sales may resume, though the timeline is uncertain. Apple has expressed strong disagreement with the order and is exploring legal and technical avenues to ensure the availability of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to U.S. customers.
In their statement, Apple asserted, “Should the order stand, Apple will continue to take all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the U.S. as soon as possible.” The situation remains fluid, and time is ticking for those seeking an Apple Watch with blood monitoring capabilities.
Apple halts U.S. sales of Watch after losing patent case https://t.co/7NAdnHxUk2
— Nikkei Asia (@NikkeiAsia) December 18, 2023