A ban goes into effect today for certain versions of Apple’s latest and greatest smartwatches. Yes, you can still get your hands on of the brand’s newest Apple Watches — just not models that offer blood oxygen monitoring. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 are now officially being sold without that original feature on board.
Thanks to a patent dispute with tech company Massimo, the change ban will go into effect today, Thursday, January 18, at 5PM ET. You can still find the remaining stock of the original watch models at retailers, but no new watches with this feature will be restocked.
Luckily, we’ve got plenty of alternatives for you, especially if you’re looking for gift ideas for Valentine’s Day.
Whether you lost out on your chance to snag an Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Apple Watch Series 9 or just want a viable alternative with similar features, these smartwatches make fine replacements. Best of all, they’re all available now, with many in stock for overnight shipping.
The best Apple Watch alternatives you can buy now
If you plan on buying a new Apple Watch, but find that the oximeter versions of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 have sold out, you still have plenty of options. Here are our favorite smartwatches that make fantastic Apple Watch alternatives for every budget.
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen): $199 and up (20% off)
Despite its budget-friendly price, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) packs impressive capabilities as a pared-down alternative to the core Apple Watch models. Given that the Apple Watch Ultra is currently out of stock at most retailers, this is one option that seems to be in stock at most locations and offers the best bang for your buck.
It delivers key features like fitness tracking, crash detection, advanced workout metrics and more. Note that blood oxygen measurement is not included. Like pricier models, the SE allows you to handle calls, texts, music streaming and more right from your wrist when connected to your phone. It also provides 50m of water resistance.
So if you want solid smartwatch functionality without the premium price tag, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is a compelling option to consider.
The Apple Watch SE is available in two sizes. The smaller 40 mm size watch is available at Amazon starting at $199, reduced from $249.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic: $237 and up (21% off)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic boasts a fashionable design that’s rounded compared to the Apple Watch, with a slightly larger screen and excellent outdoor visibility. It also retains all the capabilities of the Galaxy Watch 5 while adding some key upgrades.
With 2GB RAM, the Watch 6 is much quicker and more responsive than before, with a smoother UI. The 36-48 hour battery life also makes it a great daily driver. For charging, 10W fast charging gets you back up and running in no time, so you’re not stuck waiting on a boost when you need to get out the door.
Enhanced health and fitness tracking includes improved sleep tracking, a more precise bioactive sensor, and more. The Samsung Health app lets you monitor data.
Like the previous model, the Galaxy Watch 6 uses durable sapphire glass for exceptional transparency and scratch resistance. It comes in 40mm, 44mm and 47mm display sizes, along with color options like gold, silver, black and graphite.
Right now, you can snag one starting at $237 for the 43mm Bluetooth option and save 21%. Keep in mind, however, that it is not compatible with iPhone.
Google Pixel Watch 2: $300 and up (14% off)
The Google Pixel Watch 2 brings some notable upgrades over its predecessor. and remains one of the slickest-looking smartwatches in the game, thanks to its rounded display, recycled aluminum frame and durable glass construction.
Health and fitness tracking also gets a boost with enhanced sensors that monitor heart rate, blood oxygen, cEDA for stress, and skin temperature. If high stress is detected, the watch provides prompts to log emotions or guides you through breathing exercises. Of course, it handles exercise tracking as well, with automatic detection and heart zone coaching.
The newest Pixel Watch steps up its wellness tracking capabilities and durability while retaining the core Google smartwatch experience. So if you want deeper health insights from your wearable, the Pixel Watch 2 warrants a look, especially if you can’t get an Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the Ultra model is mostly out of stock.
The WiFi version will set you back $300 right now at Amazon, while opting for LTE will cost $350. If you’re not planning on using it with your new Pixel 8 device, an LTE version might prove to be more useful for those who like to keep their phone in the car while out and about.
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: $298 and up
The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar smartwatch offers a unique solar charging capability that sets it apart. Simply placing it in sunlight allows the watch to conveniently top up its battery throughout the day without cables. But this wearable is more than just a solar-powered novelty.
With Garmin’s accurate Elevate 4.0 sensor, the Instinct 2 Solar provides solid fitness and health tracking. It also touts sturdy construction with water resistance and drop protection. The battery life is simply incredible at up to 28 days of regular use, 65 days in battery saver mode, or 30 hours with continuous GPS.
For active users or anyone seeking maximum convenience by avoiding frequent charges, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is an intriguing option. Its solar charging gives you almost unlimited runtime, while still delivering robust activity tracking in a ruggedized package. If you want the freedom of charging without cables, this solar-powered smartwatch warrants a close look.
This smartwatch is currently up for purchase at Amazon starting at just $298 for the smaller 40m model.
Fitbit Sense 2: $239 (20% off)
For Android users seeking great, affordable health tracking (compared to most Apple Watch models), the Fitbit Sense 2 is a top-tier choice. Not only does it deliver exhaustive wellness insights, but it features innovative continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor for all-day stress monitoring. It also includes an ECG sensor for heart rhythm assessments.
Beyond that, the Sense 2 has a skin temperature monitor to detect potential illnesses and their impact on sleep quality. Impressively, it offers a six-day battery life, outlasting many competitors and minimizing constant recharges.
Of course, you still get the expected lineup of smartwatch capabilities. And with its sleek design and bright AMOLED display, it bears a stylistic resemblance to the Apple Watch.
If you want an Android-compatible smartwatch packed with health tracking abilities and lengthy battery life, the feature-filled Fitbit Sense 2 is an excellent option to consider. It’s available right now at Amazon for just $239, which is 20% off its normal price.
Are the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 still available?
Yes, you can still purchase both models as of right now. However, there are two types of each watch available. The remaining stock of the original Series 9 and Ultra 2 will be available to purchase wherever they are still in stock, meaning you can visit retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target to purchase the watch of your choice. Older models will retain their blood oxygen monitoring functionality.
However, Apple has also begun selling new models of both the Series 9 and Ultra 2 that do not ship with blood oxygen monitoring. Those are being shipped out to replace the old versions of the smartwatches to satisfy the Apple Watch import ban rules. Going forward, once the old stock is cleared out, Apple will not be replacing those older models. For the foreseeable future, it appears that the blood oxygen monitoring feature will simply remain unavailable.
This point is driven home by the fact that the official Apple website features the text “Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 no longer include the blood oxygen feature.”
With that information available to potential buyers, Apple has also included the key to figuring out which model you’re purchasing. They’ll be denoted by part numbers ending in LW/A, which you can view by way of the Apple Watch’s internal menu options.
Though the functionality has been removed from new Apple Watches, however, you may still see the option on your watch to use it. According to Apple spokesperson Nikki Rothberg (via The Verge), you may still see the blood oxygen icon. However, if you go to tap it, a new message will display: “The Blood Oxygen app is no longer available. Learn more in the Health app on your iPhone.” A new Apple support page has a rundown of all of this information for further reference.
What will happen to my original Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2?
Nothing. If you already purchased one of the two models with bans, you can continue to use them as normal. Though Apple will no longer be manufacturing and shipping new Apple Watch models with blood oxygen monitoring, if yours already has the feature, it isn’t going anywhere. Apple has confirmed that there will be “no impact” on devices that were manufactured before the import ban. If you want a watch with the functionality, you’ll have to purchase an older model confirmed to have it via part number.
