A U.S. federal judge upheld a patent-infringement verdict against Apple on July 21, 2026 [2], rejecting the company's request to overturn the decision.

This ruling solidifies a massive financial liability for Apple and validates the intellectual property claims of Masimo, now owned by Danaher. The dispute centers on the pulse-oximetry technology that allows the Apple Watch to measure blood oxygen levels, a key health feature for millions of users.

The court denied Apple's bid for a new trial and rejected its attempt to have the original judgment overturned [1]. The judge said the appeal presented by Apple was insufficient to warrant a reversal of the previous verdict [5].

Financial reports on the final amount vary slightly between sources. Most reports state the verdict amount is $634 million [1], while one report cites the figure as $643 million [3]. Because the majority of legal reporting and the payment terms to Danaher are listed at $634 million [4], that figure remains the primary benchmark for the loss.

The legal battle has spanned several years as Masimo accused Apple of poaching employees and stealing trade secrets to develop the blood-oxygen sensor. The current ruling effectively sets the payment amount in stone [4], limiting Apple's remaining legal avenues to challenge the specific monetary award.

Apple has previously faced import bans and software restrictions regarding this specific technology in the U.S. market. This latest judicial rejection removes a significant layer of hope that the company could avoid the payment through a trial reset [2].

“A U.S. federal judge upheld a patent-infringement verdict against Apple”

This decision represents a significant victory for smaller medical technology firms against Big Tech's tendency to integrate third-party innovations into closed ecosystems. By upholding the $634 million award, the court reinforces the strength of medical device patents and signals that Apple cannot simply iterate its way out of infringement claims through the appellate process.