What happens when a tech giant goes head-to-head with a medical-tech heavyweight?
In California, a jury just answered that question — and it cost Apple a staggering $634 million.
The verdict sided with Masimo, a company known for its medical-monitoring tech.
It argued that certain Apple Watch features — like workout mode and heart-rate alerts — relied on its patented blood-oxygen technology.
And according to the jury, Masimo was right.
Apple, unsurprisingly, isn’t buying it. A company spokesperson pushed back, saying Apple plans to appeal.
The spokesperson noted that Masimo has launched “over 25 patent claims” over the years, most of which were deemed invalid.
Apple-Masimo Dispute
They also pointed out that the patent at the centre of this case “expired in 2022” and stemmed from “decades-old patient monitoring tech.”
Masimo, on the other hand, celebrated the decision.
The company called it “a significant win” in its mission to defend its innovations — and this dispute is far from new.
Masimo has long accused Apple of poaching employees and lifting its pulse-oximetry technology for the Apple Watch.
The feud even triggered a 2023 import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.
Apple responded by stripping the devices of blood-oxygen features, then later reintroducing updated tech after getting US Customs approval.
So, is this just another round in a long tech turf war — or the beginning of a much bigger shift in wearable innovation?
