Apple stops online sales of Watches; older models can’t be fixed

Apple Inc has stopped selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US on its online store, just days before a ban related to a patent dispute takes effect.

The company also will no longer be able to repair watch models that are out-of-warranty, a potential headache for consumers.

The newest Apple Watch models were no longer available for purchase from the company’s website as of about 3pm Thursday in New York. The company previously said it would end sales at its about 270 physical retail stores in the US on Dec 24. Online purchasing in the US was stopped earlier than in-store sales so that watches could be sent to consumers before a ban scheduled for Dec 25 goes into effect. Sales will continue at Apple’s international online and in-person stores.

Apple posted a message on the website saying it “no longer sells Apple Watch units in the United States with the ability to measure blood oxygen”. Apple Watch SE models without that feature are still on sale.

The sales ban was imposed by the US International Trade Commission, which ruled that Apple violated two health-technology patents related to blood oxygen sensing held by Irvine, California-based Masimo Corp.

Separately, Apple’s customer service teams were informed in a memo that the company will no longer replace out-of-warranty models going back to Apple Watch Series 6. That means if a customer has a broken screen, for instance, they won’t be able to get the issue fixed by Apple. The company will still offer help that can be done via software, such as reinstalling the operating system.

Company representatives were told to tell affected customers that they will be contacted when hardware replacements are allowed again. Generally before the ban, Apple was unable to fix most of the hardware issues with the smartwatch and, instead, replaced those units.

The decision to stop watch replacements affects most new Apple Watches sold since 2020, including the Series 6, 7, 8 and Ultra, in addition to the current 9 and Ultra 2. All of those models include the blood oxygen feature the commission ruled were covered by the patents.

Customers who purchase watches before Dec 25 – the day the ban comes into place in the US – and models that are still under warranty aren’t affected by the replacement prohibition. The included warranty for the device is typically one year, while users can pay for AppleCare to extend the time period.

After Dec 25, Apple also won’t be able to exchange a watch purchased before the ban, say for a different colour or size, during the typical return period. Retail staff was told a product swap won’t be allowed, but Apple will replace accessories like bands. Watches can still be returned for a refund.

Earlier this week, Apple employees were told they can’t inform customers that the Apple Watch remains on sale at third-party retailers, such as Best Buy and Target, due to the legal order. The watch will likely continue to be available at those retail outlets until the supply already in the US runs out. Apple won’t be able to import more watches – which are made overseas – until after the commission’s order is lifted.

The ban on the watches remains in effect until Apple reaches a licensing agreement with Masimo, gets a federal reprieve or fixes the problem. Apple is working on a software update it believes will mitigate the issue. – Bloomberg