iPhone Users May Be Able To Claim Up to $95 from Apple Settlement Over False Advertising

Remember all those ads two years ago about upgrading your iPhone to take advantage of AI? 

They are about to cost Apple a lot of money, and you might be entitled to some of it. 

Here’s what you need to know about the multimillion dollar settlement over Apple’s alleged failure to deliver enhanced AI features to Siri known as Apple Intelligence. 

Lawsuit alleges false advertising for Apple Intelligence 

When Apple rolled out the iPhone 16, the hook was access to a more advanced device that would work differently/better thanks to artificial intelligence. 

The updated handset hit stores in 2024 without most the new features, but Apple promised they would arrive soon. 

While some new features were eventually pushed to iPhones via software updates (including writing tools and increased photo editing options), the experience of using iOS hasn’t changed much even though another new round of iPhones has been on the market for a while now. 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: New Siri features delayed again

As a result, a man in California filed suit (Landsheft vs. Apple) against Apple via law firm Clarkson and two other firms in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. 

“As is now widely known, Apple falsely represented what the iPhone 16 could do in an effort to reverse its trend of declining iPhone sales and capitalize on consumer excitement for truly innovative and advanced AI features,” lawyers alleged in the official complaint. “Apple promoted AI capabilities that did not exist at the time, do not exist now, and will not exist for two or more years, if ever, all while marketing them as the breakthrough innovation of the iPhone 16. This class action arises from that widespread deception, which violated multiple false advertising, unfair competition, and consumer protection laws.”

Others later joined the suit, and in a May 5 filing Apple agreed to settle it without admitting any wrongdoing. 

Per the settlement: “Apple has delivered more than 20 Apple Intelligence features and anticipates delivering additional Siri Apple Intelligence features in future software updates at no additional cost.” 

Who is eligible for cash from the settlement? 

If you bought one of several versions of the iPhone between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025, you could be eligible for a payout. 

The models that are eligible are iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

(Although the ad campaign was primarily for the iPhone 16 line, some iPhone 15s had technologically capability of accessing the promised new features.) 

A fund of $250 million has been set up to provide monetary relief that is expected to range from $25-95 depending on how many people file claims, but don’t start spending that money yet. 

The settlement must be approved by a court, and you will need to provide proof of purchase to cash in. 

A hearing on the settlement is scheduled for June, and Clarkson says a link to the settlement administrator website will be available “in a few weeks.”