Apple Watch Ban: What You Need to Know
Why is Apple Watch facing a ban?
The Apple Watch, one of the most popular smartwatches in the world, is facing a potential import ban in the US. This is due to a patent dispute with Masimo, a medical technology company that claims Apple infringed on its patents related to blood oxygen monitoring1.
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in favor of Masimo in October 2023, and ordered a ban on Apple Watch models that violated Masimo’s patents2. The ban is subject to a 60-day presidential review, which means it could take effect after December 25, 20233.
How will the ban affect Apple and its customers?
The ban could have a significant impact on Apple and its customers, as the Apple Watch is one of the company’s best-selling products. According to Statista, Apple shipped 36.4 million units of Apple Watch in 2022, accounting for 28% of the global smartwatch market share4.
If the ban goes through, Apple will not be able to import or sell any Apple Watch models that infringe on Masimo’s patents in the US. This includes the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, which were launched in September 2023 and feature blood oxygen sensors5.
Apple has already taken some preemptive measures to comply with the ban, such as stopping online sales of the affected models from December 21, 2023, and in-store sales from December 24, 20236. However, this could still result in a loss of revenue and customer satisfaction for Apple, especially during the holiday season.
What are the alternatives to Apple Watch?
If you are looking for a smartwatch that can measure your blood oxygen level, there are some alternatives to Apple Watch that are not affected by the ban. For example, you could consider the following options:
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: This is a sleek and powerful Android smartwatch that offers blood oxygen monitoring, as well as other health and fitness features. It also has a rotating bezel for easy navigation, and supports Google Assistant and Google Pay7.
- Fitbit Sense: This is a versatile and affordable smartwatch that can track your blood oxygen level, as well as your stress level, heart rate, skin temperature, and more. It also has a long battery life, and works with both Android and iOS devices8.
- Garmin Venu 2: This is a durable and sporty smartwatch that can measure your blood oxygen level, as well as your body battery, respiration, hydration, and more. It also has a bright AMOLED display, and supports music streaming and Garmin Pay9.
The Apple Watch ban is a serious issue that could affect millions of users in the US. If you are a fan of Apple Watch, you might want to buy one before the ban takes effect, or wait for the outcome of the presidential review. If you are looking for a different smartwatch, you might want to check out some of the alternatives we mentioned above.
We hope this blog post helped you understand the Apple Watch ban and its implications. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading!
