Apple Watch’s Blood Oxygen Feature Could Make a Comeback in the US
Apple has remained notably quiet about the removal of the blood oxygen monitoring feature from its Apple Watch models sold in the U.S. However, a new development suggests the company is fighting to restore the functionality. According to a Reuters report, Apple has filed an appeal with a U.S. federal court, seeking to overturn a ruling that forced it to disable the feature.
The Legal Battle Continues
During the court proceedings, Apple’s attorney, Joseph Mueller, argued that the ruling had “deprived millions of Apple Watch users” of a key health feature. Masimo, the medical technology company that filed the patent infringement claims, countered by accusing Apple of attempting to “rewrite the law.”
Judges reportedly questioned whether Masimo’s development of a competing smartwatch justified the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (ITC) decision. Apple contended that the ban was unjustified, as Masimo’s competing product remains “purely hypothetical.”
The court must now decide whether to grant Apple’s appeal or uphold the ITC’s ruling in Masimo’s favor.
Background on the Dispute
The conflict dates back to December 2023, when Apple faced a potential sales ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the U.S. after the ITC ruled that the company had infringed on Masimo’s blood oxygen monitoring patents.
Apple initially hoped for intervention from the Biden administration during the Presidential Review Period, but when no action was taken by the December 25 deadline, the company temporarily halted sales of the affected models. By mid-January 2024, Apple resumed sales—but with the blood oxygen feature disabled. Notably, even replacement devices in the U.S. no longer support the functionality.
What’s Next for Apple?
Apple now has two potential paths forward:
Continue the legal battle – The company appears to be pursuing this route with its latest appeal.
Wait until the patent expires – The disputed patents are set to lapse in 2028, at which point Apple could reintroduce the feature without legal repercussions.
Final Thoughts
As the case unfolds, we’ll keep you updated on any judicial decisions. In the meantime, stay tuned for the latest rumors on the upcoming Apple Watch Series 11.