Only the latest models, or latest few models, come with the sensor necessary. It was a pandemic feature addition that came too late, just like all their other pandemic feature additions.
We are referring to opening Face ID with a mask on released like a month ago which is beyond the last time I cared to wear a mask anywhere in the US - as no municipality requires it, except rideshares, busses and planes and just for now - as well as the blood oxygen reading requiring a completely new Apple Watch model, but that model was released september 2020 if you like that. The last time I cared was when I was willing to be afraid of the virus before September 2020.
It's pretty damn difficult to fault Apple for not enabling a feature that would require adding sensors to phones whose parts were sourced and/or built prior to the pandemic. As for the mask-enabled FaceID, I never enabled it since it goes against the whole security model and eliminates multiple data points in the verification process for about 2 seconds of inconvenience. At this poiont, I can type my 6 digit passcode almost as fast as FaceID would have unlocked my phone.
And also, the pulse oximeter helps build a better image of overall cardiovascular fitness (basically they can estimate VO2 max). This is important for keeping the body in shape to fight off SARS-2 and whatever comes next (people with cardiovascular problems were more likely to die or be hospitalized.)
So I’m also curious to where they are referring to since the US doesn’t have that combination anywhere
I get that you were replying to the semantical words that suggest the pandemic ended
In Portland, it's much the same. Grocery stores are no longer mandating it but many restaurants still are. Concert venues seem about 50/50 at this point. There may no longer be blanket mandates but I'm still showing my proof of vaccine or being asked to wear a mask a couple times a week.