Apple

Where to Buy Apple Watch 9 & Apple Watch Ultra 2 [u]

Published

2 months ago

01/17/2024

Apple’s motion to stay a sales ban on two Watch models, the Apple Watch 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, during the appeal process has been denied which means the company will have to stop selling the devices with pulse oximetry features in the United States at 2PM Pacific on January 18th. Fortunately, the company has a plan.

According to Reuters, Apple plans to start selling the Apple Watch 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States without the blood oxygen feature starting tomorrow.

The company says Apple Watch 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models without the feature will be available online starting at 6AM Pacific on January 18th and in Apple Stores starting on January 18th.

The Blood Oxygen app will still be on board these units, but when a user taps on the app, it will say the features are unavailable.

Apple says there’s no impact to previously purchased models that include the Blood Oxygen feature nor is there any impact on devices sold outside of the U.S.

In addition to Apple’s stores, third-party retailers are also allowed to sell the devices which means you can also the Apple Watch 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in stock at places like Amazon and Best Buy.

Where to Buy Apple Watch Ultra 2

Where to Buy Apple Watch 9

The company was initially forced to pull these models from its stores in December to comply with an International Trade Commission (ITC) order that prevents components related to their blood oxygen monitoring feature from being imported into the U.S.

The ITC determined the technology violates patents owned by Masimo, a health technology and consumer electronics company based in Irvine, California.

The ban was paused in December after Apple received an interim stay. However, the stay was denied by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Apple believes the appeals process could take a year.

5 Reasons to Wait for Apple Watch 10 & 5 Reasons Not To

Wait for Blood Pressure Monitoring

1 / 10

Gurman believes Apple is targeting 2024 for a blood pressure monitor on the Apple Watch. This is the earliest it will launch and there could be a delay. That being said, it's a feature worth waiting for.

He's outlined three health features Apple's working on: glucose and blood sugar monitoring, the ability to take blood pressure, and the ability to measure body temperature. Of these, it looks like the blood pressure tool is the closest to launch.

If this pans out, the Apple Watch 10 would be able to detect a user's blood pressure from the wrist using infrared light.

If you have blood pressure issues, or simply want a quick way to check, this feature alone might be worth the wait.