New Apple Watches Drop Blood Oxygen Feature Due to Legal Issue

Apple removed the blood oxygen feature from Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches due to a legal dispute with Masimo, but existing owners are unaffected, and international sales continue with the feature.

By Aatar Ata | Founder and Senior Author of Aatar X

5 min read — January 22, 2024

Apple has decided to exclude the blood oxygen feature from the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, aiming to continue selling these premium watches while navigating an ongoing patent dispute with health tech firm Masimo.

On Wednesday, Apple disclosed that the Series 9 and Ultra 2 models without the blood oxygen feature will be accessible on both its website and in US retail stores starting Thursday.

Customers opting for these versions will still encounter mentions of the blood oxygen feature, but upon tapping, they will receive a message indicating its unavailability.

Existing Apple Watch owners with a model featuring the blood oxygen capability remain unaffected.

Internationally, Apple retains the ability to market watches equipped with this feature.

This decision follows a Tuesday ruling by a federal appeals court, asserting that Apple cannot persist in selling watches with a blood oxygen sensor amidst an ongoing patent dispute with Masimo.

Back in January 2023, a US judge determined that Apple’s blood oxygen sensing system violates Masimo’s patents. Consequently, in October, the US International Trade Commission issued an order barring the importation of the watch.

“Apple’s appeal is ongoing, and we believe the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit should reverse the USITC’s decision. We strongly disagree with the USITC decision and resulting orders,” Apple said.https://t.co/LyW2SG1Bk8
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) January 18, 2024

“Apple’s appeal is ongoing, and we believe the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit should reverse the USITC’s decision. We strongly disagree with the USITC decision and resulting orders,” Apple conveyed in a statement released late Wednesday.

Importantly, these modifications to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 do not impact the Apple Watch SE, which lacks a blood oxygen feature.

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