Apple plans to offer refunds to certain iPhone users following a 2020 class-action lawsuit settlement. The lawsuit claimed Apple intentionally slowed down some older iPhone models to address battery and processor challenges.
Details of the Lawsuit
Apple was accused of a big consumer fraud. They reportedly made the performance of certain iPhone models slower without telling the public. In 2017, Apple said that a software update was meant to make batteries last longer. But it made phones slower. Many people were upset, leading Apple to say sorry. They also offered software updates and battery replacements.
How the Settlement Works
The settlement was first okayed in March 2020. It involved about 3 million claims. Apple will pay $310 million, but they say they did nothing wrong. They say they made phones slower to stop them from turning off suddenly. The settlement could reach $500 million. The final payout depends on how many claims get okayed.
There was a delay in paying because some iPhone users didn’t agree with the settlement. But they recently lost their case in the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. This means the settlement can now move forward.
Reports say that people who filed claims on time might get around $65 each.
Who’s Eligible?
The settlement pertains to:
- iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, and SE. They must have had iOS 10.2.1 or newer before December 21, 2017.
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus with iOS 11.2 or newer before that date.
The lawsuit also highlighted issues where iPhones turned off despite having over 30% battery. Apple tried to fix it with a software update. But many believe it made phones perform worse.
Apple hasn’t commented further on the issue. But iPhone users who are part of this can expect their money soon.
