Apple’s Latest Watches With Blood Sensors Disappear From Stores For Good

Photo 303848735 © Ifeelstock | Dreamstime.com

The watch has stopped ticking for Apple, as a federal court has determined that the tech giant can no longer sell its latest Apple Watch models—the Series 9 and Ultra 2—with blood-oxygen sensors. No buts, no takesies-backsies.

This decision, effective from Thursday, January 18, 2024, comes amid a patent dispute over the technology used in these advanced wearables.

The US International Trade Commission imposed the ban on these two models due to a conflict with medical technology company Masimo, who filed a lawsuit accusing Apple of infringing on its patents related to smartwatch sensors back in 2021. This technology, which measures the oxygen concentration in the wearer’s blood, has been a key feature in Apple Watches since the Series 6 model and has continued through to the latest Series 9 and Ultra 2.

Apple sought a temporary stay on the ban while the case was under review. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit declined to extend this allowance on January 17, leading to the enforcement of the prohibition starting Thursday at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT).

To comply with the court’s decision, the Cupertino behemoth has developed a workaround and has disabled the contested sensor in existing smartwatches through a software update. 

The ban specifically targets the sale of any Series 9 or Ultra 2 smartwatches that feature the blood-oxygen sensing technology. As such, Apple has reportedly shipped redesigned versions of these watches to its stores, which will be available for sale once the ban is in effect, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

In response to the latest ruling, Apple is pursuing an appeal in federal court. With that said, the legal process could take up to a year to resolve, and there’s no certainty the outcome will be in the company’s favor.

The Apple Watch SE remains unaffected, as it does not include blood-tracking sensors.

[via CNBC and Gizmodo, cover photo 303848735 © Ifeelstock | Dreamstime.com]