Apple is now selling Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 without blood oxygen feature in US
Apple officially confirmed it will disable the blood oxygen tracking on its Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 smartwatches in the United States. The change only applies to new sales - those watches will not be able to measure SpO2 until the legal battle is over between Cupertino and medical technology company Masimo.
Current units on the market, including those that are already shipped to third-party retailers, will continue functioning as before. Users outside the United States will remain unaffected as well.
Disabling the SpO2 sensor is one way for Apple to continue selling its newest smartwatches as they would otherwise be outright banned by the US International Trade Commission (ITC). However, the company didn't manage to update the interface, so those who purchase Watch Ultra 2 or Series 9 will still get the blood oxygen icon. After tapping it, they will be notified the feature is unavailable.
Apple does not disclose sales figures by device anymore, but per its latest report 42% of its overall wearable revenue came from North America.
Reader comments
- Anonymous
That's his point. I don't know what you don't get. If a consumer thinks that the price isn't fair, it's likely that he won't buy a product. People understand this. You don't need to explain it.
- 19 Jan 2024
- 70d
- Anonymous
You're the one who brought up "fair prices". I think a fair price for these watches is no more than $100. So they are already out of compliance, in my opinion. I choose not to buy their products. Simple. You originally said they s...
- 19 Jan 2024
- y26
Of course it's their decision. But that doesn't invalidate my point. It would be just to lower the price but sales are not driven by how just a price is, i know that, don't need you to explain me. Nonetheless, lowering the price is a...
- 19 Jan 2024
- nwX