Apple isn't selling its banned Apple Watch models in the US — but you can still find them at other retailers
- The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are no longer on shelves at US Apple stores or its website.
- That's after the ITC ruled that Apple infringed patents owned by health-tech firm Masimo.
If you were planning on buying one of Apple's newest smart watches, there are still places you can secure one despite a US ban.
The company has pulled its Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 off its shelves — both physical and online — in the US after the International Trade Commission ruled against the tech giant in a patent dispute over blood oxygen monitoring technology. The Biden administration also dealt Apple a blow on Tuesday, opting not to veto the ITC ruling.
But while the two smart watches might be unavailable from Apple, third-party retailers still have ones available to buy.
A Best Buy representative confirmed to Business Insider that it will continue to sell both models, and it appears that other retail giants like Target, AT&T, and Amazon were also selling the devices as of December 26. Target, AT&T, and Amazon did not immediately respond to BI's request for comment.
On Best Buy's website, the least expensive fully packaged Series 9 watch retails for $399, while the least expensive Ultra 2 goes for $799. Some colorways were not available when BI checked.
However, it's unclear how long the smart watches will remain available. The ITC ruling bans further imports of the models. Apple — which one analyst estimated could lose $300 million-$400 million in holiday sales from the ruling — is still selling older models of the Apple Watch.
Apple announced the halt in sales earlier this month after the ITC said it infringed on blood-oxygen sensing patents owned by health-tech firm Masimo. Apple said it strongly disagreed with the US decision not to veto the ITC ruling, and is "taking all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the US as soon as possible."
A spokesperson for Masimo, however, called the ruling "a win for the integrity of the US patent system, and ultimately American consumers."