Apple to Stop Selling Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in US After Patent Loss | Wearables News

Apple to Stop Selling Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in US After Patent Loss

Apple Inc. will stop selling the latest versions of its Apple Watch in the US due to a patent dispute, taking the devices off the market in the middle of the busy holiday season.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Dec 19 2023, 06:20 IST
New (Product) Red Apple Watch Series 9 launched as Apple joins fight against HIV/AIDS
Apple Watch Series 9
1/5 In a bold move for a charitable cause, Apple has launched the latest addition to its smartwatch lineup - the (Product) Red Apple Watch Series 9. This new variant not only adds a splash of colour to Apple's collection but also stands as a symbol of support in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Apple has rolled out the smartwatch after the sale season is over and the Christmas season of giving is rolling round. (Amazon.com)
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2/5 Design and Features: The Apple Watch Series 9 (Product) Red boasts a stunning red aluminium case paired with a matching Sport Band, creating a visually striking ensemble. Exclusive red watch faces, such as the Solar Analog customised for World AIDS Day, enhance the overall vibrancy of the smartwatch.  (Amazon.com)
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3/5 Performance: Under the hood, the Apple Watch Series 9 maintains the high-performance standards of its predecessors. Powered by the new S9 chip and quad-core neural engine, users can expect faster processing and improved overall performance. Noteworthy improvements include an 18-hour battery life, 25 percent enhanced dictation accuracy, and a 30 percent boost in speed compared to the previous Series 8.* (Amazon.com)
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4/5 Display and Functionality: The Apple Watch Series 9 Series 9 boasts a maximum brightness of up to 2000 nits, doubling that of its predecessor. A notable addition is the new double-tap gesture, allowing wearers to control watch functions without touching the screen. These advancements contribute to a more intuitive and responsive user experience. (Amazon.com)
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5/5 Availability and Charitable Contribution: You can now purchase the Apple Watch Series 9 (Product) Red through Apple's online store and retail outlets. Priced at Rs. 41900 in India and $399 in the US, a portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to the Global Fund, supporting HIV/AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Apple's long standing partnership with (RED) since 2006 now extends to the Series 9, joining the existing (Product) Red variants for the iPhone lineup. (Amazon.com)
Apple Watch Series 9
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Sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be halted on the company’s online store on Dec. 21 and at its physical retail stores beginning on Christmas Eve, it said in a statement. (Unsplash)

Apple Inc. will stop selling the latest versions of its Apple Watch in the US due to a patent dispute, taking the devices off the market in the middle of the busy holiday season. Sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be halted on the company's online store on Dec. 21 and at its physical retail stores beginning on Christmas Eve, it said in a statement. The move comes ahead of the anticipated import ban of Apple Watch models with a blood oxygen sensor — a feature in the latest lineup — stemming from a legal battle with Masimo Corp. 

“A Presidential Review Period is in progress regarding an order from the US International Trade Commission on a technical intellectual property dispute pertaining to Apple Watch devices containing the Blood Oxygen feature,” Apple said. “While the review period will not end until Dec. 25, Apple is preemptively taking steps to comply should the ruling stand.”

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In October, the International Trade Commission ruled that Apple violates Masimo patents and would need to halt sales of infringing devices. The patents relate to an Apple Watch app that allows the device to calculate a person's blood oxygen saturation. 

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The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 generate the vast majority of the company's watch sales. Apple doesn't say how much revenue the device brings in, but it's a core part of its Wearables, Home and Accessories business, which generates more than $40 billion a year. 

The news sent the shares down 1.3% in New York on Monday. They had reached a record high last week.

The devices will removed from Apple's online store at 3 p.m. New York time on Thursday. Apple said there will be no impact to watches already sold to customers. The SE model, which lacks the blood oxygen feature, also remains on sale. The company said it would provide more information on Dec. 25 as the review period concludes. 

The need for Apple to stop selling a core product in the US is unprecedented, especially during the company's most important quarter. An Apple spokesperson said that the decision from the ITC is erroneous and should be reversed.

 

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First Published Date: 19 Dec, 06:20 IST
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