In a surprising move, Apple has decided to temporarily suspend the online sale of its Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States. The reason behind this decision is a patent dispute regarding the blood oxygen sensors used in these smartwatches, in which the medical technology manufacturer Masimo is involved.
Apple’s decision to withdraw its best-selling smartwatches from its online stores comes after the International Trade Commission (ITC) issued cease-and-desist orders and restrictions on the import and sale of these watches by external companies. These orders require Apple to refrain from importing and selling the watches through its own stores, which will come into effect after a presidential review period ending on December 25.
It is worth noting that the sales suspension only applies to Apple’s online stores, and external retailers, such as Best Buy, can still sell these watches. Additionally, Apple will continue to sell its Apple Watch SE series, which does not include the blood oxygen sensor.
This decision could have serious consequences for Apple, as the United States is their most lucrative market. The loss of sales in this country could result in a significant loss of potential revenue. The Apple Watch is currently the most popular smartwatch in the world, with a 22% market share (source: Counterpoint Research).
The Apple Watch product line has been a tremendous success not only for Apple in terms of attracting users to its ecosystem but also as a way to promote the Apple Fitness+ subscription. Unfortunately, Apple does not disclose individual sales data for its watches, but its wearables, home, and accessories section brought in $39.8 billion in revenue in the fiscal year 2023.
While the future resolution of the patent dispute remains uncertain, Apple will have to find a solution through negotiations with Masimo, hardware modifications, or even software changes in its smartwatches. In the meantime, consumers will have to wait to purchase the popular Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.
FAQ
The source of the article is from the blog mendozaextremo.com.ar