Apple has taken an unprecedented step by discontinuing the sale of two of its smartwatch models, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9, in the United States. If you’re eyeing one for the holidays, act quickly before they vanish from the shelves.
The reason behind Apple’s decision is an agency order and ongoing litigation. This relates to a prolonged dispute with Masimo, a medical tech company, over the blood oxygen sensor technology integrated into the Apple Watch. Apple seems to have lost this dispute, at least for the time being, prompting this unexpected move to pull the watches off the market.
This action is quite drastic for Apple, driven by an order from the International Trade Commission regarding Apple Watches featuring blood oxygen monitoring. Apple’s statement highlights an ongoing Presidential Review Period concerning the order, revealing their proactive measures to comply in case the ruling remains in place.
Sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 on apple.com will cease at 3 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, December 21, this week. In-store purchases and online order pickups from apple.com will come to a halt by the end of the day on Sunday, December 24.
Apple has announced an unexpected move – discontinuing the sales of two of its prominent smartwatch models, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9, within the United States. This abrupt decision has sent ripples among potential buyers, urging them to make swift purchases if they aim to grab one before the products vanish from the market shelves.
The reason behind Apple’s unprecedented step stems from an agency order and ongoing litigation. This legal battle originates from a prolonged intellectual property dispute with Masimo, a renowned medical technology company. The bone of contention is the blood oxygen sensor technology integrated into the Apple Watch. In a turn of events, Apple appears to have lost this particular dispute, leading to the abrupt cessation of sales for these specific watch models.
This development signifies a considerable move for Apple, as it’s a rare instance where they’ve removed their products from sales circulation. The catalyst behind this action is an order from the International Trade Commission specifically targeting Apple Watches equipped with blood oxygen monitoring capabilities. Apple’s official statement sheds light on an ongoing Presidential Review Period associated with the order. It showcases the company’s proactive stance, ensuring compliance in the event that the ruling remains upheld.
The timeline for the cessation of sales activities is swiftly approaching. Sales for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 on apple.com will officially halt at 3 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, December 21, this week. Furthermore, in-store purchases and the pickup of online orders from apple.com will be discontinued by the end of the day on Sunday, December 24.
This unprecedented move by Apple has created a sense of urgency among consumers who were planning to purchase these specific smartwatch models. With the looming deadline, individuals interested in these watches are advised to expedite their decisions and make purchases promptly to avoid missing out on these products before they’re withdrawn from the market.
The Apple Watch Series 9, an eagerly awaited addition to Apple’s smartwatch lineup, was anticipated to deliver significant enhancements and innovative features. However, the details about this specific model have been somewhat scarce or speculative due to Apple’s reserved nature regarding pre-release information.
Based on industry rumors and speculations, the Apple Watch Series 9 was expected to introduce advancements in health monitoring capabilities, potentially including improvements in the blood oxygen monitoring technology, which has been a key focus for Apple in previous iterations.
Moreover, enthusiasts and tech analysts had speculated that the Series 9 might incorporate upgrades in battery life, processing power, and display enhancements, aiming to enhance user experience and functionality.
Apple’s decision to discontinue the Series 9 sales amid the ongoing legal dispute suggests a setback for eager consumers who were anticipating its release. The unexpected halt in sales has left many potential buyers disappointed, especially those who were looking forward to exploring the advancements and upgrades expected with the Series 9.
Why is Apple pausing watch sales?
Why is Apple halting watch sales?
Is Apple stopping watch sales?
Is the Apple Ultra 2 worth it?
