The blood oxygen feature is about to be removed from the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 models. While Apple has yet to issue a statement or respond to our request for comment, Bloomberg and 9to5Mac report that the feature will be removed and that US Customs and Border Protection has approved the measure, which would allow Apple to consider selling both products after they were banned last year.
The Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 were banned in the United States late last year due to a patent dispute with medical device manufacturer Masimo. The ITC ruled that the blood oxygen sensors in both devices infringed on Masimo patents.
Apple removed the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 from physical and online stores
Apple removed the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 from physical and online stores in the days leading up to the ban on December 26th, 2023. But their disappearance did not last long. Apple filed an appeal against the decision and was granted a temporary pause on the watch ban, allowing it to resume sales in the United States while US Customs and Border Protection assessed its changes.
In recent weeks, Apple has scrambled to make changes to the watches in an attempt to avoid Masimo’s patents. Customs was tasked with determining whether the company’s proposed changes were sufficient, and according to a letter from Masimo’s attorneys obtained by 9to5Mac, all parties appeared to agree on the new plan to remove the feature from the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2.
“Apple’s claim that its redesigned watch does not contain pulse oximetry is a positive step toward accountability,” Matt Whewell, director of Global Communications at Masimo, told The Verge.
According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, modified watches have already been shipped to Apple retail stores, but the stores have been instructed not to sell them until they receive word from corporate.
For the time being, the feature appears to be active on previously sold watches, and Apple spokesperson Nikki Rothberg confirmed to The Verge via email that the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 would remain available with the feature (though she did not specify how long). So it’s unclear what all of this means for current and prospective Apple Watch owners.
Given the confusion, you may want to carefully read the notes before applying any updates to your watch, and you may want to hold off on purchasing a new Apple Watch if the blood oxygen feature is extremely important to you.