You can once again buy the latest Apple Watch directly from Apple. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 will be available again at select Apple stores starting today, with wider availability expected by Saturday. Apple spokesperson Nikki Rothberg said online sales will resume tomorrow at 3 p.m. Eastern Time edge.
The appeals court said Apple can continue selling its watch for the time being while it waits to hear answers on whether proposed changes to its watch could avoid patent issues. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is scheduled to rule on the changes on Jan. 12. Failing that, the court is considering whether to suspend the ban until a ruling on the patent dispute, which could delay the ban for several months.
“Apple teams have worked tirelessly for years to develop technology that delivers industry-leading health, wellness, and safety features to users, and we are pleased that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has stayed the exclusion order while considering our request to stay. The order is pending against us. Full appeal,” Rosberg said in an emailed statement.
Before the ban took effect on December 26, Apple had stopped selling the Series 9 and Ultra 2 from its online and physical stores. The ban covers devices containing blood oxygen saturation sensors. Apple has had this feature on its flagship Watch Series 6 since late 2020. Only the less expensive Apple Watch SE doesn’t have the feature and continues to be sold.
During the ban, third-party retailers were allowed to continue selling Apple Watches through their inventory, although the import ban would ultimately prevent them from purchasing any more watches.
