9to5Mac’s Report According to Apple, Apple has confirmed that these two Watch models will not be available for order on its US website after 3 pm ET on December 21 and that inventory will be unavailable in stores after December 24. While the ban only prevents Apple from selling these models directly, they may still be available on other channels like Amazon or Best Buy.
In response to the potential ban, Apple is reportedly working on a software fix to change the way the Watch measures blood oxygen levels. The company aims to change the algorithms and software used in the Watch Ultra 2 and Watch Series 9 models to address patent issues related to blood oxygen monitoring.
The patent dispute began in January when an ITC judge Decision Held that Apple had infringed one of Masimo’s patents. Apple disagreed and demanded a full review. In October, the ITC issued an order Issued Due to which the import of affected Apple Watch models may be banned. The 60-day presidential review period allows the US President to intervene, but no presidential action has yet been taken.
Apple’s decision to halt the sale is a preemptive move to comply with the ITC decision before the review period ends. If the ban comes into effect after December 25, only the sales of Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 models with blood oxygen sensors will be affected, while models like Apple Watch SE will not be affected and their sales will continue.