Apple has officially removed the Watch Series 9 from its online store due to an ongoing patent dispute. This unexpected move was confirmed earlier this week, as the tech giant cited the legal conflict as the reason for temporarily halting sales of its flagship smartwatch. Visitors to the online store are now greeted with the message “Currently Unavailable” in place of the usual Buy button.
The unavailability extends to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, although the entry-level Apple Watch SE is still up for purchase. This could be attributed to the SE’s more limited on-board health metrics. For those determined to acquire the Series 9, alternative online sources like Amazon are still offering pre-Christmas delivery in specific regions.
Brick-and-mortar Apple Store locations will continue to stock the Series 9 until Christmas Eve. Customers who have already ordered the watch online for in-store pickup can still do so until December 24, according to confirmation from the company to TechCrunch.
The backdrop to this sudden removal stems from Apple’s prolonged patent dispute with health tech company Masimo, a conflict that has been well-documented over the past few years. Despite Apple facing setbacks in previous legal rulings, Monday’s announcement took many by surprise due to its unprecedented nature.
At the crux of the dispute is an optical image sensor utilized for monitoring the wearer’s heart rate, a technology Apple has incorporated since the Series 6’s debut in 2020. Masimo alleges that Apple not only infringed on its patents but also engaged in talent poaching, accusing the Cupertino giant of hiring key employees, starting with Masimo’s Chief Medical Officer.
Discontinuing sales of a flagship product is never ideal, and the timing during the holiday season poses additional challenges. While Apple managed to keep sales open until the last minute, some customers may find themselves receiving rainchecks instead of the coveted smartwatch as gifts this year.