Apple agreed to a $250 million class-action settlement after iPhone buyers alleged that the company promoted advanced Siri features that were not delivered when expected. The proposed agreement concerns certain iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 purchases in the United States. Eligible customers have until December 21, 2026, to submit a claim. The settlement has received preliminary approval but remains subject to a final court hearing on February 24, 2027.
How Did the Apple Lawsuit Start?
The dispute began with Apple’s June 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference, when it introduced Apple Intelligence and previewed a more personalized version of Siri. The demonstrations described a voice assistant capable of drawing on personal context, understanding what appeared on the screen, and taking more sophisticated actions across apps. Apple promoted these capabilities alongside its newer iPhones.
Some customers claimed they purchased eligible phones expecting those enhanced Siri functions to arrive within the advertised timeframe. However, the features were not included when the phones launched. In March 2025, Apple acknowledged that the more personalized Siri capabilities would take longer than anticipated to deliver. That announcement intensified complaints from buyers who said the missing functionality had influenced their purchasing decisions.
On March 19, 2025, the first lawsuit in the consolidated federal proceedings was filed by plaintiff Peter Landsheft. Additional related lawsuits followed. The plaintiffs alleged misleading advertising and violations of consumer-protection laws, arguing that Apple’s representations created expectations that were not met. These remain allegations, not judicial findings that Apple committed wrongdoing.
What Happened After the Lawsuit Was Filed?
The related cases were consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California under Landsheft et al. v. Apple Inc., Case No. 5:25-cv-02668. The parties exchanged legal arguments and ultimately negotiated a proposed resolution rather than taking the allegations to trial.
In May 2026, Apple agreed to establish a $250 million settlement fund. Apple denied the allegations and did not admit liability. The court granted preliminary approval in July 2026, permitting notice and claims administration to proceed. Final approval is still pending, so payments are not guaranteed on a particular date.
Who Is Eligible for the Apple Settlement?
The settlement class generally covers U.S. residents who purchased an eligible device in the United States, other than for resale, from June 10, 2024, through March 29, 2025. The qualifying models are iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
A claimant must also confirm that the purchase was made with an expectation of receiving certain Siri Apple Intelligence features that were not delivered as expected. Purchasing an Apple product outside the qualifying models or dates does not, by itself, establish eligibility. Each claimed device requires its own valid submission.
How Much Can Customers Receive?
The settlement provides a presumptive payment of $25 per eligible device, subject to adjustment according to the number of accepted claims, administration expenses, and court-approved deductions. The amount can increase to a maximum of $95 per device or decrease if necessary. The final payment cannot be established until claims have been processed. The $250 million figure is the total settlement fund, not an individual award.
How to File an Apple Lawsuit Settlement Claim
Eligible purchasers can visit the official settlement website, SmartphoneAISettlement.com, and follow its claim-form instructions. They must provide current contact information, identify the qualifying device, confirm the required purchase circumstances and expectations, and supply information sufficient to establish ownership or purchase. A claim ID and PIN from a notice may help, but the website also provides a process for claimants who did not receive one.
The completed claim must be submitted by December 21, 2026. The same date applies to requests for exclusion and objections, although those are different legal choices. Claimants should review the official notice carefully before deciding whether to remain in the class or preserve the right to pursue separate litigation over the released claims.
When Will Apple Settlement Payments Be Made?
The court has scheduled its final approval hearing for February 24, 2027. If approval is granted, payments will depend on when the settlement becomes final and whether appeals occur. No definite distribution date has been announced. Updates are available from the settlement administrator at SmartphoneAISettlement.com or 1-888-988-8945.
Is This the Same as the Earlier Siri Privacy Settlement?
No. A separate $95 million settlement in Lopez v. Apple concerned allegations that Siri activated unexpectedly and captured private conversations. Its claim deadline was July 2, 2025. The current $250 million Landsheft settlement concerns alleged advertising and delivery delays involving newer Siri AI features. The two cases have different eligibility requirements, deadlines, and official websites.
