Apple suddenly stopped the sales of its two smartwatch models, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. If you want to buy these stopwatches then you should know these things.
Why is Apple halting sales?
The cause stems from what Apple characterizes as an agency directive and legal action. It pertains to an ongoing intellectual property conflict with the medical technology firm Masimo concerning the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen sensor technology—a dispute in which Apple has been unsuccessful, at least for the time being. This marks the first instance where the company has refrained from offering Apple Watches for sale.
Withdrawing a product from the market is a drastic measure. Apple is proactively responding to a directive from the International Trade Commission concerning Apple Watches featuring blood oxygen monitoring capabilities.
Apple’s statement starts with, “A Presidential Review Period is underway regarding a directive from the U.S. International Trade Commission on a technical intellectual property disagreement related to Apple Watch devices containing the Blood Oxygen feature. While the assessment period will not conclude until December 25, Apple preemptively takes measures to adhere to regulations should the decision remain valid.”
When is it occurring?
This week, sales on apple.com of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 will halt at 3 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, December 21. In-store purchases, or pickup of online orders from apple.com, will conclude at the close of the day on Sunday, December 24.
Are all Apple Watches affected?
No. It’s two out of the three models that Apple presently offers, excluding its certified refurbished items, which are predominantly limited to certain Series 8 models. The third primary option, the Apple Watch SE, remains unaffected because it lacks the blood oxygen monitoring central to the dispute—a capability introduced by Apple with Series 6. Apple Watches with blood oxygen monitoring that have already been purchased are also unaffected; they will continue to operate as intended.
Is it permanent?
It appears improbable, and Apple is characterizing it as a temporary pause. The Presidential Review Period concludes on December 25, so if the Biden administration opts to annul the ruling, then sales can resume, although the timeframe is uncertain. While this outcome would be favorable for Apple, it seems unlikely, albeit not impossible. Apple might choose to challenge or reach an agreement with Masimo.
Irrespective of the outcome of the Presidential Review Period, this is a grave matter. In summary, if you desire an Apple Watch with blood monitoring, time is running out.
Apple’s statement continued, “Apple vehemently opposes the directive and is investigating diverse legal and technical strategies to guarantee the accessibility of the Apple Watch to customers. If the order endures, Apple will continue to take every conceivable step to accelerate the restoration of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to U.S. customers as promptly as possible.”
