Apple has agreed to compensate iPhone owners as part of a class action settlement tied to postponed and absent AI capabilities. Buyers of the iPhone 16 series or select iPhone 15 models at launch may qualify for payments ranging from $25 to $95 per device.

The settlement stems from claims that Apple promoted advanced AI tools during marketing for the new phones, yet those features arrived later than expected. The first elements of Apple Intelligence reached devices only after iOS 18.1 launched several weeks following the initial release. Payouts are projected to total $250 million across eligible customers.

An Apple representative noted the resolution allows the firm to concentrate on innovation and user-focused products. The agreement covers devices sold between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.

Background on the Apple Intelligence Lawsuit

Marketing for the iPhone 16 lineup stressed optimizations for smarter Siri functions and agent-like assistance. However, core capabilities remained unavailable at launch, prompting allegations of misleading promotions. While some tools such as Visual Intelligence, Live Translation, Writing Tools, Genmoji, and Clean Up appeared shortly after, the highlighted advanced features did not.

Devices and Buyers Eligible for Payment

Owners of these models purchased in the specified window qualify for consideration:

iPhone 16
iPhone 16E
iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max

The iPhone 15 Pro variants qualify due to sufficient hardware support for the AI suite. Roughly 36 million individuals may receive notices.

Steps to Submit a Claim

Eligible customers should await contact from the settlement administrator Verita. Apple will supply verified purchaser details, after which notices arrive via email or mail with a link to a dedicated claims portal. The filing window closes 90 days after notice receipt.

Expected Timeline for Distributions

Apple must deliver customer data within five days of final approval, set for June 17, 2026. A 45-day notification phase follows verification, with payments processed in a subsequent 60-day period. Recipients may see funds after September 2026 once court reviews conclude.