On November 14, 2025, a jury delivered a verdict that could reshape how medical technology reaches your wrist. According to TechCrunch’s report, Apple must pay medical technology company Masimo $634 million for patent infringement involving blood oxygen monitoring technology.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Apple owes Masimo $634 million for patent infringement
- The case involves blood oxygen monitoring in Apple devices
- Masimo is a established medical technology company
- The verdict came after jury deliberation in November 2025
Beyond the dollar amount: Why this matters
While $634 million seems like the headline, the real story lies in what this verdict means for the future of health monitoring technology. This isn’t just another patent dispute—it’s a clash between Silicon Valley’s rapid innovation culture and the carefully regulated medical device industry.
Masimo didn’t just create another smartphone feature. They developed medical-grade technology that hospitals rely on for patient monitoring. When Apple incorporated similar blood oxygen monitoring into their devices, it represented more than just copying—it signaled how consumer tech companies are increasingly crossing into regulated medical territory.
The medical technology protection precedent
For medical technology companies like Masimo, this verdict sends a powerful message: their specialized innovations have legal protection, even against tech giants. Medical device development involves years of research, clinical testing, and regulatory approvals—processes that move much slower than consumer tech development cycles.
When consumer companies borrow from medical technology without proper licensing, it undermines the substantial investment medical companies make in research and development. This $634 million award demonstrates that courts recognize the value of medical innovation and will protect it accordingly.
What this means for smartwatch manufacturers
The implications extend far beyond Apple. Every smartwatch manufacturer adding health monitoring features—from blood oxygen to ECG capabilities—now faces clearer boundaries. The days of freely incorporating medical technology into consumer devices may be ending.
Companies developing health-focused wearables now have three paths forward: develop their own proprietary technology from scratch, license existing medical technology properly, or face similar legal challenges. The blood oxygen monitoring patent case sets a precedent that could affect how all wearable manufacturers approach health features.
The innovation balancing act
There’s a delicate balance here between protecting legitimate medical innovation and allowing progress in consumer health technology. On one hand, medical companies deserve protection for their substantial R&D investments. On the other, consumers benefit when advanced health monitoring becomes accessible through affordable consumer devices.
The challenge moving forward will be creating frameworks that respect medical patents while still enabling the consumer health revolution to continue. This patent infringement verdict might actually push companies toward more collaborative approaches—licensing agreements and partnerships that benefit both medical innovators and consumer tech companies.
The bottom line:
Apple’s $634 million loss to Masimo represents more than just a financial penalty—it’s a watershed moment for health technology integration. Medical innovation now has demonstrated legal protection, and consumer tech companies will need to navigate these waters more carefully. For consumers, this could mean slightly slower adoption of new health features, but potentially better-vetted and more reliable medical technology in the devices we wear every day.
If you’re interested in related developments, explore our articles on Why AMD’s Surprising GPU Support Decision Matters for Your Wallet and Why Google’s Latest Pixel Update Actually Matters for Your Phone’s Longevity.
