iPhone owners could soon receive up to $95 each following Apple’s agreement to a $250 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit. This lawsuit, finalized on Tuesday, accused the tech giant of falsely advertising the artificial intelligence capabilities of its devices.
In 2024, Apple introduced the iPhone 16 with much fanfare, highlighting new AI-powered features for Siri, their virtual assistant, as part of the “Apple Intelligence” software updates.
Despite Apple’s attempts to stay competitive during the AI surge, the promised enhancements to Siri have yet to materialize, even two years later.
The legal action, initiated by U.S. consumers in the San Francisco federal court for the Northern District of California, claimed Apple misled buyers with a marketing campaign that showcased features that were not available, prompting them to purchase the devices under false pretenses.
Attorneys representing iPhone customers have requested preliminary approval for the $250 million settlement from the court, as per a recent filing. If the judge accepts this proposal, it would rank among Apple’s most substantial settlements ever.
This settlement pertains to approximately 37 million devices purchased in the United States between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. It includes all iPhone 16 models as well as the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Owners are eligible for a payment of at least $25 for each device, and that amount could go up to $95 depending on how many other claims are filed “and other factors,” the filing said.
Customers will be notified by email or mail that they can file a claim on a settlement website, it said.
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“Apple has reached a settlement to resolve claims related to the availability of two additional features,” the company said in a statement. “We resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users.”
Apple, based in Cupertino, California, was caught off-guard by the intense consumer interest in the Siri AI features. Buyers were angered after finding out that the new features would be released later than expected, the filing said.
They “would not have purchased the Eligible Devices or would have paid significantly less, had they known Enhanced Siri features were not available,” the filling said.
Apple’s AI features remain in development even as rivals Google and Samsung have been rolling out more of the technology on their own devices. The company is expected to unveil its Siri upgrade this year, most likely at its annual developer conference next month.
Apple said in its statement that it has “introduced dozens of features” since it launched Apple Intelligence, such as Visual Intelligence and Live Translations.
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