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 International Trade Commission previously issued an order that would prohibit Apple from importing the Series 9 and Ultra 2 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 to CNET.
Apple will stop selling the Series 9 and Ultra 2 through its website on Dec. 21, while Apple retail locations 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,” Apple 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 Apple Watch is available to customers.”
The company added that it will “continue to take all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the U.S. 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 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 sales pause 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 after 3 p.m. ET on Dec. 21, according to Apple. The…
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