If you were thinking of grabbing a brand new Apple Watch Series 10 or maybe an Ultra 2 in the US, you need to be aware that a significant health feature — blood oxygen monitoring (often called SpO2) — still won't be active right out of the box.
This is still ongoing over a year after it was disabled due to a legal battle, as Apple hasn't restored the function on new units sold stateside, leaving a noticeable gap in its otherwise impressive health tracking suite of features, as noted by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his latest "Power On" newsletter.
In case you're not aware of the backstory, here's a quick summary for you:
Apple introduced blood oxygen sensing with the Apple Watch Series 6 back in 2020, where it was seen as a key health addition. However, medical tech company Masimo sued Apple, claiming the feature infringed on its pulse oximetry patents.
That situation continues today, impacting the latest Series 10 models as well for American buyers. Importantly, if you bought your watch before the ban (roughly before mid-January 2024), your SpO2 feature still works fine.
Apple's now disabled in the U.S. "Blood oxygen monitoring" feature. | Image credit — Apple
Apple is apparently digging in for the long haul
So, what's Apple doing about it? Apple chose to disable the SpO2 software function on units destined for the US market. Their public stance, echoed by CEO Tim Cook in early 2024, was that the company would focus on appealing the ITC's ruling rather than licensing Masimo's technology. Fast forward to April 2025, and that appeal process is clearly still ongoing, with no resolution allowing the feature to be re-enabled. It seems Apple is prepared for a potentially lengthy legal fight on this, with no clear resolution in sight.
This might seem surprising given Apple's heavy emphasis on the Watch as a personal health device and the company's supposed plans to focus heavily on Health as a subscription service. Blood oxygen saturation is a valuable metric for many users, and its absence is particularly noticeable as competitors aren't standing still. Samsung's Galaxy Watches, Google's Fitbit devices, Garmin watches, and increasingly popular wearables like the Oura Ring all offer SpO2 tracking, potentially making them more attractive to health-conscious US buyers while Apple's feature remains sidelined.
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That said, the impact is clear: anyone buying an Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2, or Series 10 new in the United States since early 2024 simply doesn't get access to blood oxygen monitoring. While the sensor hardware might physically be there, the software won't use it.
Existing owners are generally unaffected, with one crucial exception: if your older watch (that originally had the feature) needs a full hardware replacement under warranty or AppleCare+, the replacement unit you receive in the US will likely have the SpO2 function disabled due to the ongoing sales restriction. This situation could also make some users hesitant to upgrade if SpO2 is a feature they rely on.
A waiting game with no clear end
Right now, it feels like a frustrating stalemate. Apple maintains a key health feature is unavailable in its biggest market, potentially hurting its image as a health tech leader and giving competitors an opening. Masimo isn't getting licensing fees (if that's their goal), and US consumers are missing out on functionality available elsewhere and on competing devices.
While Apple is clearly betting on winning its appeal eventually, there's no telling how long that might take. Until then, if blood oxygen monitoring is a must-have for your next wearable in the US, you'll unfortunately need to look beyond a brand-new Apple Watch.
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Johanna 'Jojo the Techie' is a skilled mobile technology expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience, specializing in the Google ecosystem and Pixel devices. Known for her user-friendly approach, she leverages her vast tech support background to provide accessible and insightful coverage on latest technology trends. As a recognized thought leader and former member of #TeamPixel, Johanna ensures she stays at the forefront of Google services and products, making her a reliable source for all things Pixel and ChromeOS.
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