In an unexpected turn of events, Apple is pulling the plug on two of its sought-after smartwatch models, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9, in the United States.
The clock is ticking, and if you’ve been eyeing one for the holidays, you’ll need to act swiftly. The surprising move comes as a result of what Apple terms an “agency order and litigation” linked to a prolonged intellectual property dispute with medical technology company Masimo concerning the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen sensor technology.
This marks a first for Apple, signaling a proactive response to an order from the International Trade Commission related to the blood oxygen monitoring capabilities of Apple Watches.
As per Apple’s statement, “A Presidential Review Period is in progress regarding an order from the U.S. International Trade Commission on a technical intellectual property dispute about 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.”
When and Where:
Sales on apple.com for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will cease at 3 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, December 21. In-store purchases or online order pickups from apple.com will conclude at the end of the day on Sunday, December 24.
However, it’s important to note that the pause is exclusive to U.S. sales directly from Apple. For those outside the U.S. or looking for alternatives, Apple Watches can still be purchased from other retailers like Amazon, while supplies last.
Temporary Pause or Permanent Halt:
This halt in sales is described by Apple as a temporary measure. The Presidential Review Period concludes on December 25, and if the ruling is overturned, sales can resume. The Biden administration’s decision will play a pivotal role in the fate of the Apple Watches in question.
Apple expresses its strong disagreement with the order and emphasizes that it is actively exploring legal and technical avenues to ensure the availability of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers. Regardless of the outcome, time is of the essence for those eager to get their hands on an Apple Watch with blood-monitoring capabilities.
Current Sales Situation Across USA:
The exact sales volume of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 is not available on the Apple website. However, Apple’s wearables, home, and accessories unit, which includes the Apple Watch, brought in $9.3 billion in the company’s last quarter.
The sales suspension of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 models in the US is expected to cost Apple about $300-400 million in holiday-season sales. The halt in sales is a preemptive measure, and Apple has expressed its intention to take all measures to resume the sales of both watches as soon as possible.