Understanding Blood Oxygen Monitoring on the Apple Watch Ultra 2

Key Insights on Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Blood Oxygen Monitoring

Initial Release: The Apple Watch Ultra 2, upon its initial release in September 2023, included the Blood Oxygen monitoring feature.
US Availability Restrictions: Due to a patent dispute with Masimo, Apple Watch Ultra 2 models sold by Apple in the United States on or after January 18, 2024, have the Blood Oxygen feature disabled via a software workaround.
International Availability and Workarounds: Apple Watch Ultra 2 models purchased outside of the United States generally retain the Blood Oxygen functionality. Additionally, some retailers in the US may still have pre-ban inventory with the feature enabled.

Introduction to the Apple Watch Ultra 2

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is positioned as the ultimate sports and adventure watch, designed for demanding conditions and supercharged workouts. It features a rugged 49mm aerospace-grade titanium case and is equipped with advanced capabilities for outdoor activities and health monitoring.

Key features of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 include a brighter Always-On Retina display, a faster S9 SiP chip, and enhanced GPS accuracy. It boasts impressive water resistance, certified for recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters and suitable for high-speed water sports. The device also incorporates a range of health and safety features, such as an ECG app, temperature sensing, fall detection, and crash detection.

The Blood Oxygen Feature: Functionality and Importance

The Blood Oxygen app on the Apple Watch is designed to measure the percentage of oxygen carried by your red blood cells from your lungs to the rest of your body. This measurement, known as SpO₂, can provide users with insights into their overall wellness. The feature allows for on-demand measurements as well as periodic background readings.

Close-up view of the sensors on the back of the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Monitoring blood oxygen levels can be valuable for athletes tracking their performance, individuals at high altitudes, and those interested in general health trends. While not intended for medical use, it offers users another data point to understand their physiological state.

The Patent Dispute and Its Impact on Availability

The availability of the Blood Oxygen feature on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has been impacted by a patent dispute between Apple and Masimo, a medical device company. Masimo alleged that Apple infringed on its patents related to pulse oximetry technology used in the Apple Watch.

As a result of this dispute and subsequent legal rulings, Apple was required to take action regarding the Blood Oxygen feature on its watches sold in the United States. Beginning January 18, 2024, Apple implemented a software workaround to disable the Blood Oxygen monitoring functionality on new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 units sold directly by Apple in the U.S.

This means that Apple Watch Ultra 2 models purchased from Apple in the United States after this date will not have a functional Blood Oxygen app. When users attempt to use the app, they will receive a notification stating that the feature is not available.

This video discusses the ongoing patent dispute between Apple and Masimo and its impact on the Blood Oxygen sensor in the Apple Watch. It provides context on the legal challenges Apple has faced regarding this feature.

Impact on Different Markets

It is important to note that the restriction on the Blood Oxygen feature primarily affects models sold within the United States. Apple Watch Ultra 2 units purchased in other countries generally still have the Blood Oxygen functionality enabled.

Furthermore, some third-party retailers in the United States may still have inventory of Apple Watch Ultra 2 models that were imported before the ban took effect. These "pre-import-ban" watches may still have the functional Blood Oxygen sensor. Consumers in the US seeking a model with the feature may need to check the model number (specifically, looking for "LL/A" models) or inquire with retailers about their inventory.

Potential Future Availability

The situation regarding the Blood Oxygen feature is subject to change. Discussions and legal processes between Apple and Masimo are ongoing, and there is a possibility that a resolution could lead to the reintroduction of the feature in future Apple Watch models or even potentially through a software update for affected devices, although the latter is uncertain at this time.

Distinguishing Apple Watch Ultra 2 Models

Identifying whether a specific Apple Watch Ultra 2 unit in the United States has the Blood Oxygen feature enabled can be determined by its origin and potentially its model number. Models purchased directly from Apple in the US on or after January 18, 2024, will have the feature disabled. Models purchased outside the US or from third-party retailers with pre-ban inventory are more likely to have the feature.

Looking for model numbers ending in "LL/A" on the packaging or device information may indicate a US model from before the ban. However, relying solely on model numbers from third-party sellers requires careful verification.

Other Health and Fitness Features of the Apple Watch Ultra 2

Beyond the Blood Oxygen feature, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers a comprehensive suite of health and fitness tracking capabilities. These include:

Heart rate monitoring, including high and low heart rate notifications and irregular rhythm notifications.
ECG app for taking an electrocardiogram.
Temperature sensing, which can be used for features like retrospective ovulation estimates in the Cycle Tracking app.
Sleep tracking, including insights into sleep stages and the new Vitals app which tracks key overnight health metrics like heart rate and respiratory rate.
Advanced workout tracking for a wide range of activities, with detailed metrics and the ability to create custom workouts.
Dual-frequency GPS for more accurate distance, pace, and route tracking, particularly in challenging environments.

Person using Apple Watch Ultra 2 for hiking

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is designed for outdoor activities like hiking, with features like enhanced GPS and a rugged build.

These features collectively make the Apple Watch Ultra 2 a powerful tool for individuals focused on their health, fitness, and outdoor pursuits, even without the functional Blood Oxygen sensor in some regions.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Technical Specifications

To provide a comprehensive overview, here are some key technical specifications of the Apple Watch Ultra 2:

Specification	Detail
Dimensions	Height: 49mm, Width: 44mm, Depth: 14.4mm
Weight (natural titanium)	61.4g
Display	Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED, Flat sapphire crystal, Up to 3000 nits brightness, 410 by 502 pixels, 1185 sq mm display area
Chip	S9 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor, 4-core Neural Engine
Storage	64GB
Water Resistance	100 meters (ISO 22810:2010), Recreational scuba diving to 40 meters, High-speed water sports
Dust Resistance	IP6X
GPS	Precision dual-frequency (L1 and L5) GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Battery Life (Normal Use)	Up to 36 hours
Battery Life (Low Power Mode)	Up to 72 hours

These specifications highlight the robust build and advanced technology packed into the Apple Watch Ultra 2, designed to withstand challenging environments and provide extensive functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Blood Oxygen

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 2 currently sold by Apple in the US have the Blood Oxygen feature?

No, Apple Watch Ultra 2 models sold directly by Apple in the United States on or after January 18, 2024, have the Blood Oxygen feature disabled due to a patent dispute.

Can I still find an Apple Watch Ultra 2 with the Blood Oxygen feature in the US?

It may be possible to find models with the feature enabled from third-party retailers who still have pre-ban inventory. These models might have "LL/A" in their model number.

Do Apple Watch Ultra 2 models sold outside the US have the Blood Oxygen feature?

Yes, generally, Apple Watch Ultra 2 models sold outside of the United States retain the Blood Oxygen monitoring functionality.

Is it possible that the Blood Oxygen feature will be re-enabled on affected watches in the future?

While ongoing legal discussions could potentially lead to a resolution, there is currently no guarantee that the feature will be re-enabled on units where it has been disabled.