Apple is pulling the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Watch Ultra 2 from sale in the United States due to a patent dispute with Masimo. The move follows a statement cited by the technology news outlet 9To5Mac, reflecting an ongoing legal confrontation between the two companies.
The decision stems from a ruling by the US International Trade Commission on the dispute over technology that measures blood oxygen levels. That ITC decision was forwarded to President Joe Biden for review, with the option to veto the order still standing as of the latest reports. Because no veto has been entered, Apple chose to preemptively remove the two watch models from its online store and retail channels.
Apple announced that the Series 9 and Ultra 2 would cease to be listed in the company’s online shop by December 21, and they would no longer be available in physical Apple Stores after December 24. The notices highlighted that customers could not purchase these models from Apple after those dates while the legal proceedings continued in parallel.
Introduced in September 2023, the Series 9 and Ultra 2 were positioned as successors to the iPhone 15 lineup within Apple’s wearable ecosystem, aiming to offer new health monitoring features and enhanced performance for users seeking advanced capabilities in a single device. The move marks a notable shift in how Apple manages product availability when intellectual property disputes intersect with retail strategy, even while broader product plans and release calendars remain under review.
In the larger context, the dispute with Masimo centers on imaging and measurement technologies linked to blood oxygen saturation data. The situation underscores how patent litigation can influence product availability, brand strategy, and consumer access to the latest devices. While the case continues, Apple has indicated that these products will return to the market only if the legal and regulatory landscape permits, and only after any injunctions or settlements are resolved. This development illustrates the complex balance between innovation, intellectual property rights, and consumer choice in a competitive tech landscape.