You can once again purchase the latest Apple Watches directly from Apple. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are making a comeback in select physical Apple stores starting today, with wider availability anticipated by Saturday. Online sales are set to resume tomorrow at 3 PM ET, according to Apple spokesperson Nikki Rothberg.
This revival in sales follows a federal appeals court decision to temporarily halt a sales and import ban that previously affected both devices. The ban, imposed after the US International Trade Commission found Apple guilty of patent infringement by medical device maker Masimo, prohibited the sale of these products in the US.
The appeals court’s decision allows Apple to continue selling the watches temporarily while awaiting feedback on proposed changes to address the patent issues. US Customs and Border Protection is slated to rule on these changes on January 12th. If unsuccessful, the court is considering whether to stay the ban until it can make a final decision on the patent dispute, potentially extending the ban for months.
In response to the developments, Rothberg stated, “Apple’s teams have worked tirelessly over many years to develop technology that empowers users with industry-leading health, wellness, and safety features, and we are pleased the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has stayed the exclusion order while it considers our request to stay the order pending our full appeal.”
Apple had removed the Series 9 and Ultra 2 from both online and physical stores ahead of the ban taking effect on December 26th. The ban specifically targeted devices featuring a blood oxygen saturation sensor, a feature present in flagship watches since late 2020 with the Series 6. The lower-priced Apple Watch SE, lacking this sensor, has been able to remain on sale.
While third-party retailers were allowed to deplete their existing stock of Apple Watches during the ban, the import ban would eventually hinder them from restocking.
