Apple customers in the U.S. have only a few months to claim a portion of a $250 million settlement. This is related to allegations concerning undelivered Siri features marketed under Apple Intelligence.
Eligibility for Settlement
The settlement involves U.S. customers who bought specific iPhone models, including iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 series, within the period from June 10, 2024, to March 29, 2025. Claims must be postmarked or submitted online by December 21 of this year.
Eligible devices include:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
To qualify, customers must declare that they did not receive a promised Siri feature as expected when they purchased the device.
Details of the Settlement
The case, Landsheft v. Apple Inc., emerged from claims that some Apple Intelligence features were not delivered on time as advertised. When Apple presented Apple Intelligence in June 2024, it showcased an advanced Siri with enhanced user understanding and cross-app capabilities. Subsequent delays in these features led to the settlement, though Apple denies any wrongdoing.
How to File a Claim
Eligible customers can file their claims through the official Smartphone AI Settlement website. Required information includes the device’s serial number or the corresponding Apple Account email. Some may also use a Claim ID and PIN from a settlement notice.
Claims should be filed by December 21, and payment methods offered are PayPal, Venmo, direct deposit, or a mailed check.
Potential Payout
The expected payout is approximately $25 per device but could vary based on the number of valid claims. The cap is set at $95 per device.
“A feature that may be coming soon shouldn’t carry the same value as a feature that works today,” commented Michael Ryan, a finance expert. This case highlights the risk in marketing AI functionalities before full readiness.
Legal Proceedings and Industry Implications
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. It accuses Apple of failing to deliver promised features timely. According to the official statement, Apple contests these allegations, asserting the settlement is not an admission of guilt.
Final court approval of the settlement is pending, with a hearing set for February 24, 2027. Claims will not result in immediate payouts post-December 21. The situation underscores a broader issue in the tech industry about overpromising features without delivering them at launch.
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