Apple (AAPL) has formally discontinued online sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States in light of a patent dispute concerning the blood oxygen sensors of the devices between the tech behemoth and medical technology company Masimo (MASI).
The smartwatch sales on Apple’s online platforms ceased at 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday. Both the Series 9 and Ultra 2 are listed as presently unavailable on their respective websites, with no purchase option. On December 24, in-store transactions and the delivery and retrieval of online orders will cease.
Following a presidential review period that concludes on December 25, the International Trade Commission (ITC) issued cease-and-desist and limited exclusion orders in October, compelling Apple to cease importing the timepieces and selling them through its first-party stores.
Although the Biden administration retains the ability to veto the orders, Apple is proactively removing the watches to assure adherence in the event that no action is taken by the White House.
Best Buy and other third-party retailers may continue to sell the timepieces. Additionally, Apple will retain the ability to sell the Apple Watch SE due to its omission of a blood oxygen sensor.
In order to resolve the patent dispute, Apple may modify the hardware of the Apple Watch, enter into an agreement with Masimo, or potentially update the software of the wearables.
America is the most profitable market for Apple. Although the company retains the ability to distribute Apple Watches beyond its domestic borders, doing so would jeopardize a significant portion of potential revenue.
