The now-infamous Apple Watch sales ban is set to go into effect today, and a new Bloomberg report offers more insight into what Apple will and will not be allowed to do with Apple Watch servicing and repairs.
According to the new report, Apple will not be able to offer hardware servicing for out-of-warrant Apple Watch models that include the blood oxygen sensor due to the sales and import ban. This means that Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, and first-generation Ultra will not be repaired or replaced by the company unless they are covered by AppleCare. Software servicing will still be honored as usual, the report notes.
However, Apple will be able to service any Apple Watch that includes the blood oxygen sensor and is still within its one-year limited warranty coverage. This is because the sales ban order includes an exemption for all Apple Watch units that are still within their warranty period, which includes all Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 devices ever sold as they were introduced three months ago.
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The return and exchange policy for Apple Watch will also be affected once the sales ban order comes in place on December 25. Customers who purchase the affected Apple Watch models before this date will not be able to exchange their devices for a different size or color once the sales pause is official, but returns will still be allowed for a full refund.
Apple Store retail workers will also not be able to inform customers that they can buy the affected Apple Watch models from third-party resellers. Retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart will be able to sell the Apple Watch at their stores while supplies last, after which they won’t be able to replenish their stock during the sales and import ban as this involves a transaction with Apple.
The sales ban is due to a longstanding patent dispute between Apple and Masimo over the former allegedly infringing the latter’s blood oxygen sensor technology. As a result, the temporary ban will affect all Apple Watch models that include a blood oxygen sensor.
The sales and repairs halt is expected to last indefinitely until Apple either settles with Masimo over its alleged patent infringement lawsuit or is granted a successful appeal with the ITC to reverse its order. The Biden administration has until December 25 to veto the sales pause order, but this is looking increasingly unlikely. Apple is set to file an appeal with the ITC to reverse its order as soon as Tuesday, December 26.
