MacRumors

iOS 26 was announced nearly a month ago, but there is one change related to phone calls and messages that flew under our radar until now.

As reported by German tech news website Heise last month, Apple has introduced new APIs that allow for developers to implement support for making cellular phone calls and sending and receiving SMS/MMS/RCS messages in third-party apps, but only iPhone users in the EU will be able to take advantage of this functionality.

These carrier-based capabilities have always been limited to Apple's Phone and Messages apps, so this is a big change. Apple likely expanded these features in response to current or anticipated regulations under the EU's Digital Markets Act.

Third-party apps could already offer Wi-Fi calling and messaging.

Apple says iPhone users in the EU will only be able to make cellular phone calls and/or send and receive SMS/MMS/RCS messages in a supported third-party app when they have selected the app as their default dialing app and/or default carrier messaging app on iOS 26. Otherwise, the functionality is not enabled.

These capabilities will not be available in third-party iPad apps, or in iPhone apps running on macOS or visionOS, according to Apple.

For the cellular phone call functionality in particular, even the developer of an app requires an Apple Developer account registered in the EU. Given how locked down these capabilities are, do not expect them to expand to the U.S. or elsewhere any time soon.

iOS 26 is currently in beta. The update should be released to the general public in September.

As Prime Day continues today, we're highlighting all of the best Apple deals you can get for under $100 on Amazon. This includes AirPods, Apple Pencil Pro, AirTags, iPhone cases, USB-C chargers, and more.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

You can find every Apple deal available during Prime Day in our dedicated post. Remember that you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to get Prime Day deals, and you can sign up for Prime on Amazon if you don't have the service yet.

$30 Or Under

In the cheapest category, you can get Apple's 20W USB-C Power Adapter for $13.00, down from $19.00 and the AirTag 1 Pack for $19.99, down from $29.00.

$50 Or Under

For accessories priced between $30 and $50, there are a few sales on Amazon for Prime Day. You can get the 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter for $49.98, down from $59.00, as well as discounts on iPhone 16 cases.

$100 Or Under

Lastly, we're tracking a few deals on Apple products that are just under $100 for Prime Day. You can get an AirTag 4-Pack for $64.99 ($34 off), an Apple Pencil Pro for $99.00 ($30 off), and AirPods 4 for $89.00 ($40 off).

If you're on the hunt for more Prime Day discounts, be sure to visit our big Prime Day post where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the event.

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Apple today provided developers with the third beta of tvOS 26 for testing purposes, with the beta coming two weeks after the second beta was released.

The software updates can be downloaded through the Settings app on the Apple TV.

tvOS 26 adopts new Liquid Glass design changes inspired by visionOS, much like iOS 26 and macOS 26. The update also includes support for karaoke using an iPhone as a microphone, improvements for using AirPlay speakers with a TV, new Aerial screen savers, and quicker logins to apps at setup thanks to Apple Account syncing.

The beta is limited to developers right now, but tvOS 26 will be available to public beta testers in the near future ahead of its fall launch.

Apple released ‌iOS 26‌, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, visionOS 26, and watchOS 26 yesterday, but tvOS 26 was held until today.

A new hands-on video of an iPhone 17 Air dummy model has surfaced, providing a closer look at the rumored design of Apple's thinnest iPhone ever.

According to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 Air will measure just 5.5mm at its thinnest point, surpassing the 6.9mm record held by the iPhone 6. However, to achieve this impressively thin and lightweight design, the device is expected to have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including worse battery life, only a single rear camera, only a single speaker, and an A19 chip instead of an A19 Pro chip.

iPhone 16 Pro models are 8.25mm thick, so the iPhone 17 Air would be 33% thinner than those devices, if Kuo is accurate. This ultra-thin design can be seen in the hands-on video, along with some of the device's other rumored features, including a 6.6-inch display with a Dynamic Island, a single 48-megapixel rear camera on a wide pill-shaped bump, a USB-C port, a single speaker, an Action button, and a Camera Control button.

Other rumored iPhone 17 Air features include MagSafe and 12GB of RAM, and Apple reportedly plans to release an optional battery case for the device.

The device is also expected to lack a physical SIM card slot worldwide, meaning it will rely entirely on eSIM technology, even outside of the United States.

Apple will likely unveil the iPhone 17 Air in early September, so there are only around two months to go until the device is finally official.

Like previous iPhone software updates, iOS 26 adds several new features to Apple's AirPods. While iOS 26 will be officially released this fall, there's nothing stopping you from installing the latest ‌iOS 26 beta –‌ and getting access to the new AirPods features today.

New AirPods Features

Apple's upcoming iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe updates add the following new features to AirPods, thanks to an AirPods firmware update (more on that below). Controls for the new features are also listed.

• Pause Audio for Sleep: If you're listening to music, a podcast, or a book while you're in bed and you're wearing AirPods, the AirPods will pause your audio when you fall asleep. (Settings ➝ [Your Name]'s AirPods ➝ Pause Media When Falling Asleep.)
• Camera Remote: AirPods can be used as a camera remote with the Camera app on ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌. Just press and hold on the AirPods stem to take a photo or start a video recording. (Settings ➝ [Your Name]'s AirPods ➝ Camera Remote.)
• Keep Audio in Headphones: When you use AirPods, you can opt to keep audio in your headphones when other playback devices like cars and speakers connect to the ‌iPhone‌. (Settings ➝ General ➝ AirPlay & Continuity ➝ Keep Audio with Headphones.)
• Improved Call Quality: The H2 chip in the ‌AirPods 4‌ and ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 brings more natural vocal texture and clarity to voice recordings, ‌iPhone‌ calls, FaceTime calls, and all CallKit-enabled apps like Zoom. (No change in Settings necessary.)

How to Get the New AirPods Features

Step 1: Install iOS 26 Beta

In order to gain access to the new AirPods features in beta, you'll first need an iPhone or iPad running iOS 26 beta or iPadOS 26 beta, respectively. Apple has released the beta versions to developers, but even non-developers can download beta software updates on their iPhones and iPads for free. Follow this link to learn how it's done, then meet us back here.

Of course, if you have reservations about installing the developer beta on your main device, you can always wait for the public beta that will be released very shortly. Apple said to expect availability sometime in the month of July.

Step 2: Install AirPods Beta Firmware

Once you have your device running the iOS 26/iPadOS 26 beta, you need to give Apple permission to install beta firmware on your AirPods.

1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad, then open Settings ➝ [Your Name]'s AirPods.
2. Swipe to the bottom of the menu and tap AirPods Beta Updates.
   
   

3. Toggle on the switch next to AirPods Beta Updates to the green ON position.
   

After you've completed these steps, the firmware update will be installed automatically when your AirPods are in their charging case and near to your iPhone or iPad. This could take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, so be patient.

Once the firmware update is complete, additional options to control the new AirPods features will appear within the Settings app, in the menu screens described above. Bear in mind that the new features are in beta and as a result cannot be guaranteed to work consistently.

Apple today announced that four additional games will be added to the Apple Arcade library on Thursday, August 7, including Play-Doh World.

Exclusive to Apple Arcade, Play-Doh World lets you create digital Play-Doh characters and more.

"Whether sculpting, stretching, squishing, or squashing, kids are invited to unlock their imagination with creative activities, fun games, and rewarding interactions," part of the App Store description for the game says.

Apple's full description of the game, from its press release:

Play-Doh brings its magic to the digital space with Play-Doh World, allowing players to craft their own characters and watch them spring to life. From inventing wild zoo animals to styling outrageous salon hairdos, every corner of this colorful universe responds to the player's creative whim. With dozens of interactive zones, collectible special Play-Doh, and regular content updates, Play-Doh World offers creative activities and open-ended, imagination-led play — all in a safe, ad-free environment.

The three other games that are coming to Apple Arcade on August 7:

• Worms Across Worlds
• Let's Go Mightycat!
• Everybody Shogi

More details about all of the games are outlined in Apple's announcement.

Apple Arcade is a subscription service that provides access to hundreds of games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. All of the games are free of ads and in-app purchases. In the U.S., Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month, and it is bundled with other Apple services in all Apple One plans.

Apple Arcade can be accessed through the App Store and the new Apple Games app.

Amazon this week has Apple's AirTag 4-Pack for $64.99, down from $99.00. This beats the previous all-time low price by about $3, and it's one of the all-around best discounts during Prime Day.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Amazon provides delivery dates as soon as today for Prime members at some residences in the United States, and you won't need to clip an on-page coupon in order to see this deal. If you're shopping for just one AirTag, Amazon has the AirTag 1-Pack for $19.99, which is a record low price.

Be sure to check out our main post for even more Apple-related discounts during Prime Day.

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Samsung first showed off its OLED M9 Smart Monitor back in January at CES, but now the 32-inch Mac-compatible display is launching. We were able to check it out early to see how it performs with a Mac.

Samsung's M line is marketed as an all-in-one display that's ideal for work, watching content, and gaming, and it does deliver. The M9 is Samsung's premium display, and it's priced at $1,599, so it's on par with the Studio Display.

The M9 uses OLED technology and it's 4K, while the Studio Display has an LED panel with a 5K resolution. Samsung's display is basically a little OLED TV that works with your Mac, and while it's not as sharp as an OLED TV or as crisp as the Studio Display with its 5K resolution, it's impressive to look at. You're limited to 60Hz with the Studio Display, but the M9 supports up to 165Hz, and Macs support up to 120Hz, so you get smoother scrolling and gameplay with the M9. Samsung is using AI-based 4K upscaling to improve lower resolution content.

When it comes to design, the M9 is sleek and modern looking, and the wide stand is not too far off from the Studio Display. The M9 is adjustable, so you can tweak the height and the tilt, and turn the display vertical if you want. At the top and bottom of the display, there are thicker bezels. The top bezel includes a built-in 4K webcam and a microphone, plus the display has included speakers.

For connectivity, Samsung included an HDMI 2.1 port, a DisplayPort, a USB-C port with 90W power delivery, and two USB-A ports. Samsung says it included a unique cooling system with a coolant that can diffuse heat five times faster than a graphite sheet, which better prevents burn-ins. The monitor also detects static images like logos and drops the brightness.

This is a "smart" display with built-in AI, so you can stream content from apps like Netflix right from the monitor, plus you can stream games with no PC. The smart component is what really sets it apart from the Studio Display on a software level, while the 4K resolution, display size, and OLED display technology are the main hardware differences.

The M9 isn't a direct competitor to the Studio Display because the two monitors have different functions, but it is worth considering if you're looking for a great multifunction display for work and play.

Samsung's new M9 Smart Monitor can be ordered from Samsung's website for $1,599.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

A new leak has revealed several of Apple's next-generation chips coming to future iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and HomePod mini models.

Last month, an individual in China uploaded a YouTube video (with English subtitles) of an alleged iPhone 16 engineering prototype from last year. According to a MacRumors tipster, the device is running an internal build of iOS 18 from March 2024, but it is a non-UI version, meaning that you cannot load the Home Screen or other interfaces.

Within the code for this internal iOS 18 build, there are codenames and identifiers for many upcoming Apple chips, according to the video and our tipster:

• A19 chip for the iPhone 17 Air, and likely iPhone 17e
• A19 Pro chip for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max
• M5 chip for the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro
• M5 Pro chip for the MacBook Pro and Mac mini
• S11 chip for the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3
• C2 modem for the iPhone 17e, likely the entire iPhone 18 lineup, and more
• Proxima, the codename for an all-new Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip for the next Apple TV and HomePod mini models and more

Most of those are obvious one-number-higher-than-currently chips, but the all-new "Proxima" chip is a little more interesting. The chip was first reported on last year by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and he said that it would be included in new Apple TV and HomePod mini models launching later this year. He also expects at least some iPhone 17 models to use the chip, along with future iPad and Mac models starting next year.

Similar to how Apple ditched Intel for Mac processors, and how it has started transitioning away from Qualcomm for iPhone modems, the company's planned Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo chip will allow it to replace a chip that is currently supplied by Broadcom. Apple's chip is expected to support Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, which would be an upgrade for the Apple TV (currently on Wi-Fi 6) and the HomePod mini (currently on Wi-Fi 4).

Our tipster also claimed that Apple has tested a Mac Pro with an M3 Ultra chip, but it is unclear if it will be released at this point. They also uncovered evidence that Apple has no plans to release an M4 Ultra chip, as the company already strongly implied, so it is possible that the Mac Pro might not be updated until an M5 Ultra chip is ready.

It's Prime Day, and Amazon is now discounting the Apple Watch Series 10 to a new all-time low price for both the 42mm and 46mm GPS models. Be sure to check out our main post for even more Apple-related discounts during Prime Day.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Amazon has the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for $279.99, down from $399.00, as well as the 46mm GPS model for $309.99, down from $429.00. Both of these are record low prices on the Apple Watch Series 10, and they're available in numerous case colors and band styles.

42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10

• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (S/M) - $279.99, down from $399.00
• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Ink Sport Loop - $279.99, down from $399.00
• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Plum Sport Loop - $279.99, down from $399.00
• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Loop - $279.99, down from $399.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Blue Cloud Sport Loop - $279.99, down from $399.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Denim Sport Band (S/M) - $279.99, down from $399.00

46mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10

• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (M/L) - $309.99, down from $429.00
• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Ink Sport Loop - $309.99, down from $429.00
• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band (M/L) - $309.99, down from $429.00
• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Plum Sport Loop - $309.99, down from $429.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Blue Cloud Sport Loop - $309.99, down from $429.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Denim Sport Band (M/L) - $309.99, down from $429.00

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Prime Day is in full swing today, and it now includes fresh record low prices on nearly every M3 iPad Air model, including Wi-Fi and cellular tablets. Be sure to check out our main post for even more Apple-related discounts during Prime Day.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Prices start at $479.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M3 iPad Air, down from $599.00. Across the board these are all $120 discounts on the M3 iPad Air, and each one is a new best-ever price for the tablet.

Our list below focuses on Wi-Fi models, but you'll also find many cellular models on sale at $120 off right now. The 128GB cellular 11-inch iPad Air is available for $629.00 and the 128GB cellular 13-inch iPad Air is available for $829.00, both representing new record low prices.

11-inch M3 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $479.00, down from $599.00
• 256GB Wi-Fi - $579.00, down from $699.00
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $779.00, down from $899.00
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $979.00, down from $1,099.00

13-inch M3 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $679.00, down from $799.00
• 256GB Wi-Fi - $779.00, down from $899.00
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $979.00, down from $1,099.00
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,179.00, down from $1,299.00

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Prime Day has arrived, and we're tracking new record low prices across nearly every model of the iPad mini 7. If you're shopping for something else, you can find great Prime Day deals on AirPods, MacBooks, AirTag, and more in our dedicated post.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Amazon has record low prices on every Wi-Fi model of the iPad mini 7 this week, starting at $379.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. Cellular models are a bit more rare during this sale, but there are a few available at low prices as well.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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We're covering the best of Prime Day as the event has officially kicked off today, and now includes discounts across the 11th generation iPad lineup. For deals on AirPods, MacBooks, and AirTag, be sure to check out our dedicated Prime Day post.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Amazon is taking $70 off Wi-Fi and cellular models of Apple's 11th generation iPad for Prime Day. Prices start at $279.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00. Many of these deals are solid second-best prices on the tablet, and the lowest prices we've tracked in weeks.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Bluesky is rolling out some updates to enhance its notifications system, offering users of the social media platform and X (Twitter) rival a more customizable alerts experience.

First, there's a new Activity Notifications that enables you to receive alerts only for specific accounts, which is useful if you want to keep up to date with a particular friend, brand, or media outlet – like MacRumors, for instance.

Enabling this feature is similar to how it works on X: visit a profile and tap the bell icon to receive notifications every time that account publishes a new post.

Meanwhile, as part of wider notification preference updates, users can now opt to receive notifications only when certain accounts reply to them.

Other new options also include individual alert customizations for new followers, likes, replies, mentions, quotes, and reposts. Each option can be set to apply only to accounts the user follows or to everyone, or they can be disabled entirely.

Bluesky said that its previous "priority notifications" feature has been removed. This feature let users receive notifications only from accounts they follow. To replicate this behavior now, users need to manually set their reply, mention, and quote notifications to "people you follow only."

Bluesky has over 34 million active users, according to the company. That's still a lot less than Meta's Threads in total users, but the platform continues to gain popularity as an alternative to X.

Apple plans to launch a second-generation iPhone 17e next spring, reports Korean outlet The Elec.

According to the report, the iPhone 17e will use the same OLED panel as that found in the iPhone 16e – a panel that originally debuted in the iPhone 14 – as part of its efforts to use lower-cost components based on established production lines.

Similar to the iPhone 16e, which launched in February of this year starting $599, BOE and Samsung are said to be supplying the display panels, though LG Display may also be involved. The iPhone 16e offers a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, an A18 chip, and a USB-C port, positioning it as a more affordable alternative within the iPhone 16 family.

Back in April, one leaker claimed that iPhone 17e was nearing the trial production stage, with the mid-range device tentatively scheduled for a May release. Since then, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that Apple will launch a second-generation iPhone 17e in the first half of next year.

It is not expected to be the last of its kind. Looking further ahead, Kuo said a third-generation "e" device will reportedly be released alongside the standard iPhone 18 in the first half of 2027. The unusual timing is because Apple is said to be launching the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in the spring – a full six months after the iPhone 18 Pro models – as part of its switch to a split iPhone yearly launch strategy.

A unique blue finish will be the "main" color option of the all-new iPhone 17 Air, according to a rumor coming out of Asia.

According to the Weibo leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital," blue is highly likely to be the "main color" of the ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ upon its launch later this year, placed at the forefront of Apple's marketing materials.

The leaker went on to explain that the ‌iPhone 17 Air‌'s blue finish is "different from all the blue colors released by Apple in the past." The finish is apparently "very light," and in low-light conditions, could be "easy to confuse with white."

The rumor bears a resemblance to the Apple's "Sierra Blue" finish, which was the standout color offered on the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro. Sierra Blue was the first "Pro" ‌‌iPhone‌‌ color option to use a lighter shade that was still saturated with color. Sierra Blue was a unique metallic, almost icy look, that could appear blue in some conditions, and light grey in others. Apple went on to further experiment with even paler pastel glass and aluminum colors with the iPhone 15 models.

Fixed Focus Digital has a mixed track record for Apple rumors. While the leaker has had some major wins, such as reporting that the fourth-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE would in fact be the "iPhone 16e" and the iPhone 16 Pro's Gold Titanium color option, other claims have been inaccurate. The ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ is expected to debut alongside the rest of the new ‌iPhone‌ lineup in the fall.

Chinese display maker BOE is poised to overtake all rivals as Apple's largest supplier of MacBook panels in 2025, but the company's newfound dominance may not last for long with OLED MacBook Pro models on the horizon for next year.

According to market research firm Omdia, BOE is expected to capture 51% of Apple's MacBook display panel orders this year, up from 39% in 2024. The increase is primarily attributed to Apple's expanded procurement of LCD panels for the MacBook Air lineup, which now comes in 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch sizes.

BOE is projected to ship approximately 11.5 million units to Apple in 2025, representing the first time the Chinese manufacturer will supply more than half of the display panels used across Apple's MacBook lineup. Omdia believes that Apple's growing demand for ‌MacBook Air‌ panels was instrumental to the change.

Apple is forecast to purchase 22.5 million display panels for MacBooks in total this year, representing a 1% increase year-over-year. Although the increase in procurement volume is modest, the redistribution of orders among suppliers is considerable.

LG Display has historically been Apple's primary MacBook display supplier. It is now expected to supply only 8.48 million units in 2025, corresponding to a 35% market share. This marks a 12.2% decline in LG Display's shipment volume and a 9% point decrease in its share compared to the previous year.

Sharp continues to supply mini-LED panels for the ‌MacBook Pro‌ and it is forecast to supply 3.1 million units to Apple in 2025. This represents a 20.8% year-over-year decline in shipment volume and corresponds to a 14% market share. Omdia believes that weakening demand for ‌MacBook Pro‌ models has affected the supply volumes of LG Display and Sharp, as Apple redirects a greater proportion of orders to BOE.

Omdia noted that BOE's resurgence may not last for long; Apple is expected to upgrade the ‌MacBook Pro‌ to OLED technology next year:

OLED technology, with its superior display performance and slimmer, lighter form factors, is expected to be introduced in MacBooks starting 2026. Samsung Display is likely to join Apple's MacBook supply chain at that time, intensifying competition among display makers as the market shifts from LCD to OLED.

Until OLED panels begin shipping, BOE is expected to retain its dominant position in the MacBook display supply chain, largely due to the strength of the ‌MacBook Air‌ in Apple's product lineup. For now, BOE's 12% point gain year-over-year gives it a clear lead over its South Korean and Japanese rivals.

Apple has asked a U.S. federal appeals court to overturn an import ban on Apple Watch models with blood oxygen monitoring capabilities, arguing that the decision was based on a patent dispute involving an undeveloped competing product, Reuters reports.

On Monday, attorneys for Apple appeared before a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to contest a 2023 ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that blocked imports of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in 2023 due to alleged patent infringement. The ban stemmed from a complaint filed by Masimo, a medical technology firm based in California, which accused Apple of violating its patents related to pulse oximetry — the measurement of blood oxygen saturation through non-invasive sensors.

Apple's legal counsel this week argued that the ITC's ruling was unjustified because, at the time Masimo filed its complaint in 2021, the company had not yet brought a competing product to market. Masimo's first smartwatch, the W1, which included blood oxygen tracking, was not released until 2022 — two years after Apple introduced the feature with the Apple Watch Series 6.

Apple maintains that Masimo's device was not market-ready when the company filed its complaint, and that the legal standard should not permit hypothetical products to justify trade restrictions. The decision had wrongly "deprived millions of Apple Watch users" of the blood-oxygen feature, Apple's attorney said.

Masimo's attorney countered that Apple was attempting to "rewrite the law" by asserting that the ITC should only block imports when a physical, commercialized product exists at the time of complaint filing.

The ITC originally ruled in Masimo's favor in October 2023, determining that Apple's implementation of blood oxygen measurement technology infringed several of Masimo's patents. As a result, the commission issued an exclusion order blocking imports of Apple Watch models that included the contested functionality. Following a brief stay granted by the Federal Circuit in December 2023, the import ban was reinstated in January 2024.

Apple subsequently modified its devices for the U.S. market, disabling the blood oxygen sensor in newly sold Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models in order to resume domestic sales without violating the order. International models retain full functionality.

The case remains under consideration by the Federal Circuit. A ruling is expected later this year.