ITC Ruling Locks In Apple Watch Blood-Oxygen Feature, Clears Major Hurdle

The US International Trade Commission has declined Masimo's request for a new import ban, confirming Apple Watch's redesigned blood-oxygen (SpO2) monitoring—via paired iPhone workflow—is here to stay and doesn't infringe patents. This follows a preliminary ruling and evolves from April 21 reports of a potential comeback, resolving the 2023 import restrictions that forced Apple to disable the feature on Series 9 and Ultra 2 models. Key background includes the 2020 Series 6 launch, an August 2025 iPhone workaround, and a November 2025 $634 million jury award to Masimo, with appeals still possible. The decision reduces near-term regulatory risk for Apple's wearables, modestly bullish for Apple Inc despite litigation overhang.