Apple is halting sales of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 mere months after release. The culprit? A major ruling in Apple's ongoing battle over the device's blood oxygen capabilities, which dates back 2020.
9to5Mac reports that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 will no longer be available via Amazon's website starting December 21, and its retail stores starting December 24. They will remain available on third-party outlets such as Amazon and Best Buy.
First announced back in September, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series offer various upgrades over their predecessors. The Apple Watch has been a fixture in Apple's product lineup since its first release back 2015.
The crux of the decision to pause sales a dispute with medical technology company Masimo over the Apple Watch's blood sensor technology. Back in October, the International Trade Commission [ITC] found that Apple had infringed on two patents relating to the Apple Watch's pulse oximeter feature. A review period is currently underway in which President Biden can choose to veto the decision if he wishes.
Apple confirmed the report to IGN. It also released a statement to 9to5Mac, saying that if the order stands it "will take all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the U.S. as soon as possible." Apple didn't provide a timeline for their return, though 9to5Mac reports that Apple plans to file an appeal on December 26.
One way or another, the latest models of the Apple Watch may be harder to find for the forseeable future. The full statement is below.
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 the 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, 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.
Kat Bailey is IGN's News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
