Apple has reached a $250 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit concerning the delayed release of Siri and Apple Intelligence features. This settlement has now received preliminary approval from a California federal judge, marking a significant step toward compensating affected iPhone users.
The lawsuit originated from Apple’s announcement at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2024, where the company showcased advanced AI capabilities for Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence. These features were heavily promoted and generated substantial consumer interest. However, Apple postponed the rollout of these functionalities in March 2025, leading to allegations of false advertising and unfair competition. The plaintiffs argued that Apple’s marketing misled consumers into purchasing devices under the impression that the advertised features would be available as promised.
In response to the lawsuit, Apple agreed to a $250 million settlement in December 2025, without admitting any wrongdoing. The company stated that resolving the matter allows it to focus on delivering innovative products and services. Apple also highlighted the introduction of various Apple Intelligence features since 2024, including Visual Intelligence, Live Translation, Writing Tools, Genmoji, and Clean Up.
The settlement received preliminary approval from Judge Noel Wise of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on July 17, 2026. This approval enables the case to proceed to the next phase, where eligible consumers will be notified and can submit claims.
Eligibility and Compensation Details
Consumers who purchased specific iPhone models between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025, are eligible to participate in the settlement. The eligible devices include:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
Eligible consumers can expect a base compensation of $25 per device. However, the final payout per device may vary depending on the total number of claims submitted. If fewer claims are filed, the compensation could increase to a maximum of $95 per device.
At this stage, eligible iPhone users are not required to take any action. The settlement administrator will begin sending email notices to potential claimants within 45 days of the preliminary approval. These notices will provide detailed instructions on how to submit a claim. It’s important to note that the claims process has not yet commenced, and payments are unlikely to be distributed until late 2026 or early 2027.
This settlement underscores the importance of transparency in product marketing, especially concerning emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. As AI continues to evolve and integrate into consumer devices, companies must ensure that their promotional materials accurately reflect the capabilities and availability of these features. Consumers, in turn, should remain vigilant and informed about the functionalities of the products they purchase.
