Sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 from Apple’s website will stop on December 21. So Wednesday is the last day to purchase these wearables from Apple.com.
Apple retail stores will continue to sell them until December 24, but then those also will halt because of a patent dispute over an important feature in the devices. Apple, which previously appealed the U.S. International Trade Commission’s ruling on the matter, asked for a stay on the ban on U.S. imports and sales of the smartwatches. But in a Wednesday filing, the ITC denied Apple’s request (.pdf).
It’s almost time for Apple Watch sales ban to start
Cupertino is locked in a court battle with Irvine, Calif.-based Masimo Corp and its sibling company, Cercacor Laboratories, over the alleged patent infringement involving light-based pulse oximeters that measure blood oxygen. Apple introduced the tech in Apple Watch Series 6. And it built the blood oxygen sensor into every model since then except the budget-priced Apple Watch SE.
In January, a judge ruled against Apple in the case. And in October, the U.S. International Trade Commission ordered a ban on Apple Watch imports and sales.
The Biden administration is reviewing the decision and potentially could overturn it. (On Tuesday, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman said on X that the “White House is passing the baton on a decision to reverse the looming Apple Watch ban to the US Trade Representative office. But the Biden Admin says it’s tracking the case.”)
The company made the announcement on December 20, stating that it is “pausing sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 from Apple.com starting December 21, and from Apple retail locations after December 24.”
A settlement is possible
Masimo CEO Joe Kiani said his company is open to a settlement in an interview with Bloomberg. That means Masimo would license the patents Apple. He did not say what the fee for this would be, however.
But Apple is apparently going another way. Its engineers are reportedly racing to create a software workaround that will let the Apple Watch pulse oximeter evade the patent-infringement accusations and thus the import and sales ban.
Alternative Apple Watch buying options
Apple’s decision to pause Apple Watch sales does not prevent third-party retailers from selling them as long as supplies last. So, you can get the Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 from Amazon, Best Buy or Walmart after December 24, assuming they don’t sell out.
Even better, you can save quite a bit by shopping elsewhere. Best Buy currently sells the wearables at a discount:
- Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm case, various colors and bands): $329 ($70 off)
- Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm case, various colors and bands): $359 ($70 off)
Best Buy also offers the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (one size, various band options) at a discount. It’s on sale for $749 ($50 off). However, Amazon currently offers a better deal on Apple’s best smartwatch. You can get an Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $729.99 if you clip Amazon’s coupon code.
