Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 no longer include the blood oxygen feature, says Apple

Starting today, Apple is notifying customers that new units of Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 smartwatches no longer bring blood oxygen capability.

If you visit the Apple website and open Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 pages, the page will show an alert “Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 no longer include the blood oxygen feature.”

This message follows the customer through the order page as well. Apple’s retail store chain is likely to adopt similar information for Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 customers.

Apple Watch Series 9 Website Page Notifies Customers about the removal of blood oxygen feature

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Website Page

On Wednesday, Apple lost its appeal at the Court of Appeals to stay the import ban on these watches ruled by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

Masimo, a medical technology company, accuses Apple smartwatches of infringing its patent rights for a blood oxygen measurement technology. It blames Apple for illegally acquiring this tech by hiring its employees.

In 2021, Apple filed a complaint with ITC against Apple for infringing its patents and requesting a ban on the Apple Watch. In 2022, Apple filed a counter-complaint against Masimo for infringing four of Apple’s patents.

Last October, ITC announced a ban on the import of the new Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. Apple also appealed at the Federal Circuit to stay ITC’s decision. After an interim relief, the court lifted the ban on these two smartwatches Wednesday.

Apple announced to sale new Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 without the blood oxygen feature starting Thursday (today).

These modified watches will bring the blood oxygen app icon but won’t open the feature. Meanwhile, the existing customers of these watch models can continue to use the blood oxygen feature.

Other than this feature, there are no major changes made to the watch in terms of design or any other parts of the software.