Apple Has Discontinued Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 Online Sales
Apple has officially discontinued online sales of the Watch Series 9 and the Ultra 2, a surprising move prompted by an ongoing patent dispute. The unexpected announcement earlier this week revealed that a legal conflict with health tech company Masimo has compelled Apple to temporarily halt sales of its flagship smartwatch. If you visit Apple’s online store, you’ll now see a “Currently Unavailable” message instead of the usual “Buy” button for the Watch Series 9.
Watch Series 9 will be halted by Christmas Eve
For those preferring an in-person shopping experience, the Watch Series 9 will continue to be sold at Apple Store locations until Christmas Eve. Customers who have already placed online orders for in-store pickup can proceed with their pickups until December 24, as confirmed by the company.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is also affected by this decision and is currently unavailable for online purchase. However, the entry-level Apple Watch SE is still accessible for buyers, likely due to its limited onboard health metrics. Additionally, the Series 9 can still be obtained through alternative online retailers like Amazon, which is ensuring pre-Christmas deliveries in certain areas.
Patent Dispute
The patent dispute with Masimo has been a well-documented issue for Apple over the past couple of years. Despite facing setbacks in previous rulings, the company’s Monday announcement still caught many off guard due to its unprecedented nature.
In a statement, Apple emphasized its commitment to challenging the decisions made in the ongoing dispute.
“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, 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.”
The focal point of the dispute revolves around an optical image sensor used for monitoring heart rates in wearers. Apple has incorporated similar technology since 2020 with the introduction of the Series 6. Masimo alleges that Apple has not only infringed on its intellectual property but also poached key talent from the company, including its Chief Medical Officer.
Conclusion
Discontinuing sales during the holiday season is never ideal, but Apple, despite keeping sales open until the last minute, acknowledges the inconvenience this may cause to some customers who might find themselves receiving rain-checks instead of the desired product this year.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to checking if someone is not following you on Facebook:
Q: Why has Apple stopped selling the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 online?
A: Apple has temporarily halted online sales of the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 due to an ongoing patent dispute with health tech company Masimo. The company is taking preemptive measures during a Presidential Review Period related to a U.S. International Trade Commission order regarding a technical intellectual property dispute.
Q: Can I still purchase the Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 from other sources?
A: While Apple has suspended sales on its online platform, the Watch Series 9 is still available through other online retailers like Amazon. The entry-level Apple Watch SE is also still accessible for purchase.
Q: Until when can I buy the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 at physical Apple Store locations?
A: The Watch Series 9 will continue to be sold at brick-and-mortar Apple Store locations until Christmas Eve. If you’ve already ordered the watch online for in-store pickup, you can proceed with your pickup until December 24.
Q: What steps is Apple taking to address the patent dispute?
A: Apple strongly disagrees with the order and is actively pursuing legal and technical options to ensure the availability of the Apple Watch to customers. The company is committed to taking all necessary measures to return the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 to U.S. customers as soon as possible should the ruling stand.
Q: How long will the review period related to the patent dispute last?
A: The Presidential Review Period is ongoing and is expected to conclude on December 25. Apple is complying with the necessary measures during this period and is actively monitoring the situation.
Q: Is the dispute related to a specific feature of the Apple Watch?
A: Yes, at the center of the dispute is an optical image sensor used to monitor a wearer’s heart rate, particularly in devices containing the Blood Oxygen feature. The technology in question has been part of Apple Watches since the Series 6.
Q: Can I still purchase other Apple Watch models during this period?
A: Yes, the entry-level Apple Watch SE remains available for purchase, as it has relatively limited onboard health metrics compared to the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.
Q: What should customers do if they’ve already ordered the Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 for in-store pickup?
A: Customers who have already ordered the watch online for in-store pickup can proceed with their pickups until December 24, as confirmed by Apple.
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