Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 No Longer Available From U.S. Online Store
Apple has stopped selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in its U.S. online store ahead of an upcoming import ban.
Apple Halts Online Sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple has followed through on its promise to cease sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in its online store in the United States. This move comes just days before an import ban on these devices goes into effect.
As of now, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are listed as "currently unavailable" on Apple's online store. In addition to these models, refurbished Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8 devices have also been removed from the website.
Reasons Behind the Sales Pause
On Monday, Apple announced that it would be halting the sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to comply with an International Trade Commission (ITC) order. This order prohibits the import of components related to the Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring technology into the United States.
The ITC made this ruling after determining that the blood oxygen sensor on the Apple Watch infringes patents owned by medical device company Masimo.
Repercussions and Future Plans
While the Apple Watch is still available for purchase at Apple's retail stores, this will change after December 24. However, store sales will only be paused within the United States and exclusively at Apple's own retail locations. Third-party retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy can continue to sell the Apple Watch until their supplies run out. The Apple Watch SE, which lacks a blood oxygen sensor, will still be available for purchase.
There is a possibility that Apple may be able to resume sales if the import ban is vetoed by the White House. The White House has until December 25 to review the order and decide whether to intervene. If the ban is not vetoed, Apple will need to remove the infringing technology before it can sell the Apple Watch again.
Apple intends to appeal the import ban on December 26 and is actively exploring various legal and technical options to expedite the return of the affected Apple Watch models to store shelves.
