Apple will Introduce Watch Ultra 2 and Watch Series 9 Without Blood Oxygen Feature in the U.S.

In the latest development in the ongoing legal dispute between Apple and Masimo, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has denied Apple's request for an extended halt on the import ban imposed by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) on specific devices.

Consequently, Apple has disclosed its intention to commence sales of the Watch Ultra 2, Series 9 in the U.S. starting January 18th without the blood oxygen monitoring feature. These revamped watches, sanctioned by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, incorporate a SpO2 sensor, which is rendered inactive through software.

Importantly, the ban does not impact existing smartwatches and those distributed outside the United States. Apple's appeal process is still ongoing in court, with a potential duration of around a year. During this period, Apple will be unable to market smartwatches equipped with oxygen-monitoring capabilities in the U.S.

The newly modified Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 are available for purchase through Apple's retail outlets and online stores in the United States.

Regarding the court ruling, an Apple representative informed Bloomberg that:

"While our appeal is in progress, Apple is taking measures to adhere to the decision, ensuring minimal disruption for customers who still want access to the Apple Watch. We maintain our stance that the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit should overturn the USITC's verdict. We vehemently disagree with the decision and its resultant directives."