Apple has agreed to a $250 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of misleading consumers about its artificial intelligence capabilities for the iPhone — a deal that could put up to $95 back in the pockets of eligible device owners.
The suit alleged that Apple exaggerated the breadth of features Apple Intelligence would bring, including a significantly upgraded version of Siri, and created the impression that advanced AI capabilities would be available to users sooner than they actually were. Specifically, the complaint contended that Apple promoted AI capabilities that did not exist at the time and that the company saturated television, the internet and other media to cultivate consumer expectations that those features would ship with the iPhone upon its release.
A smarter, Apple Intelligence version of Siri was shown off at WWDC 2024 and then promoted in ads and videos when the iPhone 16 launched in September 2024. After Apple delayed the Siri Apple Intelligence features in March 2025, the company pulled its ads — but they had been running for several months at that point.
The class-action suit was filed in federal court in the Northern District of California by Clarkson Law Firm, a public interest litigation firm. Apple agreed to settle the case in December, and the full settlement terms became public this week. The settlement was filed for preliminary court approval on Tuesday, with a final hearing set for June 17. Apple is not admitting any wrongdoing.
“Apple has reached a settlement to resolve claims related to the availability of two additional features,” an Apple spokesperson 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.”
Eligible devices include the iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max — models purchased between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. The payout covers roughly 36 million devices sold in the U.S. during that window.
Settlement class members who submit claim forms will receive a base payment of $25 per eligible device, though that figure could increase to as much as $95 per device if claim volume is low. The $250 million fund also covers attorneys’ fees and administrative costs, which reduces the pool available for direct consumer payouts.
Claim filing details have not yet been released. Notices to eligible claimants will go out by email within 45 days of the settlement’s preliminary approval. To submit a claim, device owners will need to provide proof of purchase, the serial number of the eligible device, their phone number and Apple Account information. Clarkson Law Firm said a dedicated settlement website with full filing details will be available within the coming weeks.
The delayed Siri AI features remain unavailable to end users and are widely expected to be previewed as part of iOS 27 at WWDC 2026, which Apple has confirmed will begin June 8. Apple’s legal exposure over its Siri promises is not fully resolved, however. According to court filings, a separate shareholder class-action led by South Korea’s National Pension Service — the world’s third-largest pension fund — alleges that Apple’s AI delays caused billions of dollars in investor losses. Apple moved to have that case dismissed in February, calling the plaintiff’s argument an unsupported leap. The court has not yet ruled.
This article was constructed with the assistance of artificial intelligence and published by a member of The Washington Times’ AI News Desk team. The contents of this report are based solely on The Washington Times’ original reporting, wire services, and/or other sources cited within the report. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Steve Fink, Director of Artificial Intelligence, at sfink@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
