Apple Removes Blood Oxygen Feature from Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2: Here's Why

TLDRApple has removed the blood oxygen feature from the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 due to a patent infringement lawsuit. Existing users are unaffected, but new users who rely on this feature may want to wait until the legal issues are resolved. The accuracy of wrist-based blood oxygen sensors is questionable, and dedicated devices provide more accurate readings. Share your thoughts on the importance of the blood oxygen feature in the comments below.

Key insights

❗️Apple has disabled the blood oxygen feature on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 due to a patent infringement lawsuit with Massimo, a company specializing in medical devices.

🚫New users who purchase the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 will not have access to the blood oxygen feature.

💡Existing users who bought the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 before January 18, 2024, still have access to the blood oxygen feature.

Alternative dedicated devices provide more accurate blood oxygen readings compared to wrist-based sensors on smartwatches.

💬Join the conversation in the comments section and share your thoughts on the importance of the blood oxygen feature in smartwatches.

Q&A

Why did Apple remove the blood oxygen feature?

Apple removed the blood oxygen feature due to a patent infringement lawsuit with Massimo, a company specializing in medical devices.

Will existing users still have access to the blood oxygen feature?

Yes, existing users who purchased the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 before January 18, 2024, will still have access to the blood oxygen feature.

Can new users enable the blood oxygen feature through software updates in the future?

It is currently unclear if new users will be able to enable the blood oxygen feature through software updates in the future. The feature is temporarily disabled while legal issues are resolved.

Are wrist-based blood oxygen sensors accurate?

Wrist-based blood oxygen sensors, including those on smartwatches, are generally less accurate compared to dedicated devices. For more accurate readings, dedicated sensors that clip to the fingertip are recommended.

What are some alternative devices for measuring blood oxygen levels?

Alternative devices for measuring blood oxygen levels include dedicated sensors that clip to the fingertip, which are known to provide more accurate readings compared to wrist-based sensors on smartwatches.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Apple has removed the blood oxygen feature from the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 due to a patent infringement lawsuit with Massimo, a company specializing in medical devices.

01:40Existing users who purchased the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 before January 18, 2024, still have access to the blood oxygen feature.

03:30The accuracy of wrist-based blood oxygen sensors on smartwatches is questionable. Dedicated devices that clip to the fingertip are recommended for more accurate readings.

04:20Join the conversation in the comments section and share your thoughts on the importance of the blood oxygen feature in smartwatches.