Apple’s recent decision to pause sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the US due to a patent dispute has far-reaching implications. Beyond affecting sales, the company has now informed its customer service teams that it will no longer be replacing out-of-warranty models dating back to the Apple Watch Series 6.
Sales Pause and Patent Dispute
As announced on Monday, Apple has halted sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the US. The move is a response to an ongoing patent dispute related to the technology enabling the blood oxygen feature on these devices. Notably, these two models are currently unavailable for purchase on Apple’s US website.
Repair Services Unavailable:
In a significant development, Apple’s customer service teams received a memo this week stating that the company will no longer replace out-of-warranty models, starting from the Apple Watch Series 6. This means that customers with issues like a broken screen will not be able to get their devices fixed by Apple. However, the company will still provide assistance for issues that can be addressed through software solutions, such as reinstalling the operating system.
Communication to Affected Customers
According to Bloomberg News, representatives from Apple have been instructed to inform affected customers that they will be contacted once hardware replacements become permissible again. This move leaves users with older out-of-warranty watches in limbo until the company resolves its patent dispute and lifts the ban on sales.
Apple’s Response
As of now, Apple has not responded to requests for comments on this development, leaving users and industry observers awaiting further clarification.
This latest move by Apple underscores the broader implications of its patent dispute, affecting not only sales but also customer support and repair services for older out-of-warranty watches. The resolution of the ongoing legal issue will likely determine when customers can once again access these essential services from the tech giant.
The Hindustan Herald Is Your Source For The Latest In Business, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, And LinkedIn To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Don’t Forget To Subscribe Our Telegram Channel @hindustanherald