Some Apple customers have just a few months left to claim part of a $250 million settlement over allegations that the company failed to deliver certain Siri features that were promoted as part of Apple Intelligence.
The proposed settlement in Landsheft v. Apple Inc. covers eligible U.S. customers who bought the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16-series devices between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. Claims must be submitted online or postmarked by December 21 of this year to qualify.
People who submit valid claims are expected to receive about $25 for each eligible device. However, the actual payment can decrease or increase depending how any valid claims there are. Currently, the settlement is capped at $95 per eligible device.
Apple has denied the allegations, but the settlement stems from claims involving some of Apple's most heavily promoted AI capabilities.
Plaintiffs alleged that customers of the eligible iPhones were harmed when certain Apple Intelligence features were not delivered on the expected timetable.
When Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence in June 2024, the company previewed a more personalized version of Siri capable of understanding a user's personal context and recognizing information appearing on screen. The advanced version was also supposed to be able to perform more actions across apps. However, some of those Siri capabilities were subsequently delayed, and Apple agreed to a $250 million settlement without admitting to any wrongdoing.
...
Who Is Eligible for the Apple Settlement?
Qualifying customers are those who reside in the U.S. and purchased an eligible device for a purpose other than resale between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.
Eligible devices include:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
You also must certify that, at the time of purchase, you expected to receive a Siri Apple Intelligence feature and did not receive it.
“This all stems from allegations that Apple falsely advertised its products, knowingly selling devices that did not deliver on what was being advertised,” Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek.
How to Claim Your Apple Settlement Payment
Eligible customers can submit a claim through the official Smartphone AI Settlement website.
You’ll be asked for your device's serial number or your Apple Account email address to ensure you meet the qualifying criteria.
Customers who received a settlement notice can also use the Claim ID and PIN contained in it, but you can also submit a claim without receiving that.
“Apple was selling a phone, but part of the appeal was what that phone was supposed to do. Maybe in the future,” Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek. “Check the official settlement website and file directly. Don't assume the advertised payout is guaranteed And definitely don't pay someone to submit a claim.”
Eligible customers can choose from a mix of payment methods including PayPal, Venmo, direct deposit or a mailed check.
All claims must be filed no later than December 21.
How Much Could You Receive?
Eligible customers are expected to receive approximately $25 for each device, but the ultimate payout depends on how many valid claims are made. The payment could increase to as much as $95 per device or move below the initial $25 estimate.
“For the tech industry, there's a bigger lesson here. AI has become a selling point before some promised features are ready,” Ryan said. “A feature that may be coming soon shouldn't carry the same value as a feature that works today. Companies may need to be much more careful about where their product demos end and their promises to customers begin.”
What Was the Apple Lawsuit About?
The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and the plaintiffs alleged that purchasers of qualifying phones were harmed by Apple's "alleged failure to timely deliver certain Apple Intelligence features."
Apple has publicly disputes those allegations.
"The proposed settlement to resolve this case is not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing of any kind by Apple," the official settlement website said.
What Happens Next
Submitting a claim does not mean your money will arrive immediately after December 21. For now, the settlement still requires final court approval, and a final approval hearing is scheduled for February 24, 2027.
For the larger tech industry, Thompson said the settlement’s implications are multi-faceted.
“Companies like Apple and others can receive what is essentially a slap on the wrist in a settlement while never truly being held accountable for their actions,” he said. “Silicon Valley continues to thrive in a world where companies overpromise and underdeliver, only to be told not to do it again, essentially, while having trillions in market capitalization as cover.”
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Anthony Murray and Jason Lemon.