Apple has recently announced that it will temporarily suspend sales of its latest Apple Watch models in the United States, specifically the and the .
This decision is a response to a ruling by the International Trade Commission (ITC) linked to a patent disagreement with Masimo, a medical technology firm. The dispute centers on the blood oxygen sensor technology used in these Apple Watch models.
Sales of these models will cease on Apple's website in the U.S. after 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, and in Apple retail stores post-December 24.
The ITC's decision, announced in October following a judge's ruling in January, led to a 60-day review period by the Biden administration, set to conclude on December 25. President Biden has the option to overturn this ruling, but no action has been taken yet.
Apple is taking these steps to align with the potential outcome of the ITC's decision. The ban specifically targets the and models due to their blood oxygen monitoring feature. Other models like the , which lack this feature, are not affected and will continue to be sold.
The ITC's ruling does not prevent other retailers, such as Amazon, Best Buy, And Target from selling the affected models for now. However, the ban on imports of these specific Apple Watch models to the U.S. will begin after December 25, which might later impact their availability through other retailers as well.
If you're in the market for the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Apple Watch Ultra 2 you should get them here right now:
Series 9:
- $329.00
- : $329.99
- : $329.99
- : $329.99
- : $389.99
- : $359.00
- : $359.00
- : $359.99
- : $329.99
- $359.99
Ultra 2:
- : $729.99
- : $729.99
- : $729.99
