Apple will pause sales of its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the US this month as the result of an ongoing legal battle with health tech company Masimo.
The US International Trade Commission, the federal agency that handles trade-related mandates, previously issued an order that would prohibit Apple from importing the Series 9 and Ultra 2. The decision came after a US judge ruled in January that Apple infringed on Masimo patents related to the technology used in Apple's blood oxygen sensing system. The order is currently under presidential review, but Apple is preemptively pausing sales in case the decision is upheld, the company said. The move was first reported by 9to5Mac on Monday, and Apple has since confirmed its decision.
The Apple Watch is one of Apple's most important products, helping push the company's wearables, home and accessories business to be its second-largest product category behind the iPhone. Apple has previously said the size of its wearables unit alone equals that of a Fortune 150 company.
Apple will stop selling the Series 9 and Ultra 2 through its website on Dec. 21, while Apple stores will stop selling the watches on Dec. 24.
"Apple's teams work tirelessly to create products and services that empower users with industry-leading health, wellness and safety features," the company said in a statement to CNET. "Apple strongly disagrees with the order and is pursuing a range of legal and technical options to ensure that the Apple Watch is available to customers."
The company added that it will "continue to take all measures to return the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the US as soon as possible," if the order stands.
Apple's pause of Apple Watch sales comes during the critical holiday shopping season. Smartwatches were among the top products sold during the Black Friday period, according to holiday shopping data from Adobe.
When the judge's ruling was made in January, Masimo CEO Joe Kiani said the decision "should help restore fairness in the market."
Here's what to know about Apple's pause in sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2. This story will be updated as we receive more information.
When will Apple stop selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2?
Apple will stop selling the Series 9 and Ultra 2 online at noon PT (3 p.m. ET) on Dec. 21, according to Apple. The company said the last day for the pickup and delivery of online orders, as well as in-store sales, will be end of day Dec. 24.
Source: CNET
BDST: 1312 HRS, DEC 19, 2023
SMS
