No, Apple Watch Series 9 models sold in the United States currently do not have a working blood oxygen sensor.
Understanding the Blood Oxygen Feature on Apple Watch
The Apple Watch Series 9 was initially designed with a sensor capable of measuring blood oxygen levels, often referred to as SpO₂. This feature is intended to provide users with insights into their overall wellness by monitoring this metric throughout the day and night.
Current Status in the United States
However, as of January 18, 2024, all Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 models that Apple sells in the United States no longer come with a working blood oxygen sensor. The functionality of this sensor has been disabled in these specific models.
According to reports, the reason Apple disabled the blood oxygen sensor is a legal one. This indicates that while the hardware might be physically present in the device, the software required for it to function has been removed or disabled for watches sold in the U.S. market due to patent disputes.
What This Means for U.S. Buyers
For customers purchasing an Apple Watch Series 9 in the United States now:
- You will not be able to use the Blood Oxygen app on the watch.
- The watch will not take background blood oxygen measurements.
- This feature is disabled and is not accessible through software updates.
Here's a simple overview:
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 9 (U.S. Models Sold Now) | Apple Watch Series 9 (Originally, or outside U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Oxygen Sensor | Not Working (Disabled) | Working |
| Blood Oxygen App | Not Available | Available |
| Background Measurements | Not Taken | Taken (if enabled) |
This change specifically affects models sold in the United States following the legal ruling. Apple continues to sell models without the enabled blood oxygen feature in the U.S. to comply with the legal requirements.
