If you are in the USA and want an apple watch 9 or Ultra 2 - BUY IT NOW

A ban will come into effect on the 21st of December (online) and 24th of December (in apple store) - other retailers can continue to sell stock, however as apple is restricted from importing these units no stores will be restocked. This assumes that Biden doesn't overturn the ITC ruling - which he has until the 25th to do so. Note that if you ask online/instore to Apple staff they will not mention anything about this (they don't want you going elsewhere).

This is all due to the SPO2 sensor in these series.

More details if you are interested can be found online on most news sites, for example:

[https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/youll-still-be-able-to-buy-an-apple-watch-9-after-its-ban-but-apple-wont-tell-you-where](https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/youll-still-be-able-to-buy-an-apple-watch-9-after-its-ban-but-apple-wont-tell-you-where)

[https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/12/19/apple-watch-ban-series-9/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/12/19/apple-watch-ban-series-9/)

So if you are holding out for a last minute deal - don't!