NEW YORK, NY — Apple has agreed to a $250 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over how it marketed Apple Intelligence features on certain iPhones, and the claim process is now open. Some U.S. consumers who bought eligible iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 models in 2024 and 2025 could receive money if they file a valid claim by the deadline.
The settlement does not mean Apple admitted wrongdoing. The company denied the allegations in the case and said it did nothing improper or unlawful. Still, the agreement opens the door for qualifying customers to seek payment tied to phones they bought during a specific window.
According to the settlement notice, the maximum payment for an eligible original owner is $95 per device, although the actual amount could be lower depending on how many claims are filed.
What the lawsuit said about Apple Intelligence marketing
The plaintiffs accused Apple of advertising AI features that were not yet available when the company promoted them. They said Apple presented Apple Intelligence and an enhanced Siri personal assistant as major iPhone 16 advances even though the capabilities did not exist at the time.
The complaint said Apple promoted the features as tools that would carry out a broad range of advanced tasks. It also alleged that many consumers bought or upgraded to the iPhone 16 because of the AI campaign Apple launched in 2024.
Apple later acknowledged in March 2025 that the marketed functionality had not yet arrived, according to the claims in the case. The lawsuit framed that gap between marketing and available features as the core issue.
Which iPhone buyers may qualify for payment
Not every iPhone owner is included in the settlement. Eligibility is limited to consumers who bought an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.
The purchase must have been made in the United States by a U.S. resident. The settlement also covers only original owners, meaning people who bought the phone for personal or business use and not for resale.
That means secondhand buyers, people outside the U.S., and anyone who did not personally purchase an eligible device are not part of the payment pool.
How much the settlement could pay per device
The settlement fund totals $250 million, but payments will be divided among approved claimants. The agreement sets a base amount of $25 for each eligible device claimed by the original owner, with a maximum possible payout of $95 per device.
The final amount depends on how many valid claims are approved. If more people apply, the payment per device could be lower than the maximum advertised figure.
Payments may be sent by check, direct deposit, PayPal, or Venmo, giving claimants several options for how they receive the money.
How to file a claim before the Dec. 21 deadline
To collect money, eligible consumers must submit a separate claim form for each qualifying device. The form asks for personal contact details and the serial number for each iPhone.
Claim forms are available online at smartphoneaisettlement.com, and they must be received by Dec. 21, 2026. Consumers who believe they may be eligible may also have received an email or mailed notice that includes a claim ID and PIN.
Those who are unsure whether they qualify can call the toll-free settlement line at 1-888-988-8945 for information. The notice says no payments will go out until after the court gives final approval on Feb. 24, 2027.
What comes next after the court gives final approval
Even though the claims process is underway, the settlement is not finished yet. The court still has to grant final approval before any checks, deposits, or digital payments can be sent to claimants.
That means eligible iPhone buyers may complete the paperwork now but still have to wait for the legal process to finish. The timeline on the settlement notice points to Feb. 24, 2027, as the date for final approval.
For consumers who purchased an eligible phone, the main task now is simple: confirm eligibility, submit the correct form for each device, and meet the December 2026 deadline.
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