In a recent internal announcement, Apple has informed its sales employees that out-of-warranty repair programs will no longer be available for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States, starting from December 25, 2023. This is due to a patent dispute with medical device company Masimo, which prevents Apple from offering product exchanges for these models.
Interestingly, although the patent dispute specifically involves the Series 9 and Ultra 2 models, the limitation also applies to the Series 6 and newer models. This is because these watches feature a blood oxygen level sensor, which is covered by the disputed patents. As a result, Apple will not be able to offer replacements for any out-of-warranty Apple Watch models that have a blood oxygen level sensor.
To comply with the upcoming ban, Apple has already halted online sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US. Furthermore, starting from December 24, the sale of these smartwatches will also be suspended in physical stores. However, it should be noted that other retailers will still be able to sell both models until their inventory is depleted.
The patent dispute is currently undergoing a 60-day presidential review, expected to conclude next week. By voluntarily withdrawing the Series 9 and Ultra 2 from store shelves before the ban takes effect, Apple aims to mitigate potential legal consequences. Importantly, this ban will only impact the US market and will not affect the ability of other stores in the country to sell these models until their inventory is depleted.
In summary, Apple Watch users in the US may encounter difficulties with out-of-warranty repairs for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 starting from December 25, 2023. Due to the inability to offer product exchanges, Apple’s retail strategy for these smartwatches will undergo significant changes due to the ongoing patent dispute.
FAQs:
1. Which Apple Watch models are affected by the ban on out-of-warranty repairs?
The ban on out-of-warranty repairs applies to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models, as well as the Series 6 and newer models with a blood oxygen level sensor.
2. When does the ban on out-of-warranty repairs for Apple Watch in the US take effect?
The ban on out-of-warranty repairs for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will take effect on December 25, 2023.
3. What are the consequences of the ban on out-of-warranty repairs for Apple Watch users in the US?
As a result of the ban, users will need to replace the entire device instead of repairing individual components, which may result in higher costs for users.
Definitions:
Patent: It is the exclusive right to use a novel technology or method invented by an individual or company. It provides protection against unauthorized use or copying of the invention by other entities.
Blood Oxygen Level Sensor: This is a technology used in certain smartwatch models that measures the level of oxygen in the blood, which can provide information about the wearer’s health condition.
Source: Apple Watch website (www.apple.com)
The source of the article is from the blog qhubo.com.ni