As the holiday season approaches, Apple enthusiasts may need to act quickly if they’re planning to gift the latest Apple Watches. Starting December 21, the sought-after Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 will no longer be available for purchase, with the last chance to snag one in-store on Christmas Eve at Apple’s brick-and-mortar retail locations.

The unexpected halt in sales stems from a patent dispute between Apple and medical device maker Masimo. Masimo, known for its blood oxygen monitoring technology, alleges that the SpO2 monitor in Apple’s latest smartwatches infringes on one of its patents. The dispute dates back to 2013, when Apple approached Masimo for collaboration, and Masimo claims that Apple stole information during a closed meeting. The import ban, ruled by the International Trade Commission in October, has led Apple to temporarily halt sales.

Apple is proactively complying with the ruling while awaiting a potential Biden Administration veto. The company strongly disagrees with the decision and is exploring alternatives to keep the watches available. If the ban gets lifted, Apple commits to returning the Series 9 and Ultra 2 to U.S. customers promptly. If you’re set on an Apple Watch for Christmas, act now – the Series 8 is an option to consider to avoid potential availability issues.

For those who want want to get the watches before they dissapear from online retailers, Amazon has them right here, and they’re on sale!

–Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS 41mm] Smartwatch – $399.00 $329.00

–Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS + Cellular 41mm] Smartwatch – $499.00 $429.00

–Apple Watch Ultra 2 [GPS + Cellular 49mm] Smartwatch – $799.00 $749.00

Please note that Geeks are Sexy might get a small commission from qualifying purchases done through our posts. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

[Source: 9to5mac | Via Gizmodo]