Apple Halts Online Sales of Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 Models
As promised, Apple has officially removed the Watch Series 9 from its online shop. The surprise move arrived earlier this week when the company confirmed that an ongoing patent dispute with health tech company Masimo has forced it to pause sales of the flagship smartwatch.
The Current Situation
If you head over to the Apple website, you’ll find the words "Currently Unavailable" in place of a Buy button. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is similarly unavailable for purchase on Apple’s online store. However, there are still ways to get your hands on these popular smartwatches.
Still Available: Entry-Level Apple Watch SE
One possible explanation for why the entry-level Apple Watch SE remains available is its relatively limited on-board health metrics. This might make it less appealing to those who rely heavily on features like blood oxygen monitoring, which are at the heart of the patent dispute with Masimo.
Amazon Still Selling Apple Watch Series 9
If you’re looking to get your hands on an Apple Watch Series 9 before Christmas, Amazon is still promising pre-Christmas delivery in some areas. This means that while the Apple website might be out of stock, you can still order the watch from Amazon and receive it in time for the holiday season.
Availability at Brick-and-Mortar Stores
The wearable will also remain available at brick-and-mortar Apple Store locations until Christmas Eve. If you’ve already ordered the watch online for an in-store pickup, don’t worry – you can still do so through December 24, according to a statement provided by Apple to TechCrunch.
Background on the Patent Dispute
The patent battle between Apple and Masimo has been well-documented over the past couple of years. At its core is an optical image sensor used to monitor a wearer’s heart rate – a feature that Apple introduced with the Series 6 in 2020.
Masimo, however, claims that Apple began hiring their employees, starting with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael O’Riordan. This has led to accusations of poaching key talent and intellectual property theft.
Apple’s Statement on the Patent Dispute
In a statement provided to TechCrunch earlier this week, Apple noted that it would continue to fight the decisions:
"A Presidential Review Period is in progress regarding an order from the U.S. International Trade Commission on a technical intellectual property dispute pertaining to Apple Watch devices containing the Blood Oxygen feature. While the review period will not end until December 25, Apple is preemptively taking steps to comply should the ruling stand. This includes pausing sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 from Apple.com starting December 21, and from Apple retail locations after December 24."
Apple’s teams work tirelessly to create products and services that empower users with industry-leading health, wellness, and safety features. Apple strongly disagrees with the order and is pursuing a range of legal and technical options to ensure that Apple Watch is available to customers.
Should the Order Stand
If the ruling stands, 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. This is certainly a challenging situation for both Apple and its customers, especially with the holiday season just around the corner.
The Impact on Customers
While there’s never a great time to stop selling one of your biggest products, the holiday season is particularly problematic. Some folks may find themselves unwrapping a raincheck this year instead of the smartwatch they had been looking forward to receiving.
What This Means for Apple Watch Enthusiasts
For those who have already ordered an Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2, don’t worry – your order will still be fulfilled. However, if you’re planning on purchasing one in the coming days, it’s best to check availability at Amazon or visit a brick-and-mortar store before Christmas Eve.
The patent dispute between Apple and Masimo is ongoing, and its outcome will undoubtedly have significant implications for both companies. As we continue to follow this story, we’ll provide updates on any developments that may affect the availability of these popular smartwatches.
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We’ll keep you updated on any further news related to the Apple Watch Series 9 and the ongoing patent dispute between Apple and Masimo.
