Owners of some iPhones could receive payouts of up to $95 (€87) from Apple after the company agreed on Tuesday to a $250 million (€230 million) settlement in a class-action lawsuit over alleged false advertising of its artificial intelligence capabilities.
Apple promoted new AI features for its virtual assistant Siri when it launched the iPhone 16 in 2024, as part of wider software updates branded as "Apple Intelligence."
The company has been working to catch up with rivals during the AI boom, but has still not delivered the promised Siri overhaul two years on.
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco on behalf of US consumers, alleged that Apple misled customers through a marketing campaign promoting features that were not yet available.
Lawyers for iPhone buyers have requested preliminary approval of the $250 million (€230 million) settlement, according to a court filing. If approved, it would rank among the largest Apple has agreed to.
Which devices are eligible?
The settlement covers around 37 million devices purchased in the United States between 10 June 2024 and 29 March 2025, including all iPhone 16 models and the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Eligible owners could receive at least $25 (€23) per device, with payouts potentially rising to $95 (€87) depending on the number of claims submitted "and other factors," the filing said.
Customers will be notified by email or post and directed to submit claims via a settlement website, it added.
"Apple has reached a settlement to resolve claims related to the availability of two additional features," the company 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."
Apple’s AI features are still in development, while rivals Google and Samsung continue to expand their own offerings. The company is expected to unveil its Siri upgrade later this year, likely at its annual developer conference next month.
