iPhone buyers get $25 to $95 for Siri delay

Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class action lawsuit over its promotion of Siri features. The company announced the deal to resolve claims that it marketed artificial intelligence tools that were not yet available in the United States when the phones launched.

The settlement fund covers purchases made between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. Eligible models include the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Claimants must be the original buyers of the device and must confirm they expected to receive specific Siri capabilities with Apple Intelligence.

The base payout is set at $25 per approved device. This amount can rise to a maximum of $95, depending on the total number of valid claims and administrative costs. The final payment per person will be determined by the settlement administrator after all claims are processed. The $250 million fund also covers taxes, legal fees, and other court-approved expenses, meaning the individual payout may be lower than the maximum figure.

The lawsuit was filed by US consumers who argued that Apple’s advertising influenced their purchasing decisions. Plaintiffs alleged that the company presented advanced Siri capabilities that were not functional when the iPhones hit the market. Apple accepted the agreement to avoid the costs and risks of a trial without admitting fault.

Apple told Associated Press that it resolved the matter to focus on providing innovative products and services. The company maintained that it committed no irregularities. Ryan Clarkson, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, called the $250 million fund the largest settlement for false advertising in history, according to CBS News.

Consumers must submit their claims through the official portal at SmartphoneAISettlement.com before December 21, 2026. The form requires personal data, the device serial number, and a confirmation of the purchase type. Buyers who purchased more than one eligible phone must file a separate form for each device. The deadline is firm, and late submissions will not be accepted.

To find the serial number, users should navigate to the Settings app on their iPhone, select General, and tap About. The number is listed under this section. Claimants can also contact the settlement administrator at 1-888-988-8945 for questions regarding the process.

The Federal Court for the Northern District of California will hold a final approval hearing on February 24, 2027, at 9:00 a.m. Judge Noël Wise will determine if the agreement meets the requirements for final approval. The settlement administrator noted that if there are no appeals, benefits will be processed quickly. However, no confirmed date exists for when payments will reach claimants' accounts.

The settlement does not require claimants to hire a private attorney to receive their share. The process is handled through the official website. The court’s approval is the next major step before the distribution of funds begins. The $250 million total is the fixed amount Apple has committed to the fund, regardless of the number of individual payouts.