Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class action lawsuit over delayed Siri AI features, and iPhone 16 owners could receive up to $95 per device. The lawsuit, first filed in March 2025, accused Apple of advertising Apple Intelligence features that weren’t ready when the iPhone 16 launched in September 2024. A California federal court held a hearing on the settlement this week, though a final ruling on preliminary approval is still pending. Millions of U.S. customers who bought an eligible device are affected.
What The Siri AI Lawsuit Is About
The case centers on marketing shown at WWDC 2024, where Apple previewed a smarter Siri built on Apple Intelligence. This new version promised personal context awareness, on-screen understanding, and deeper app integration. Plaintiffs argued that these features were heavily used in iPhone 16 advertising even though they weren’t functional at launch.
Apple pulled the ads and delayed the promised Siri upgrades in March 2025. The Clarkson Law Firm led the case, known as Landsheft v. Apple, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Apple has denied any wrongdoing but chose to settle rather than continue litigation.
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Which iPhone 16 Models Qualify
Not every recent Apple device is included in this settlement. Eligibility depends on the exact model and the purchase date, which must fall between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. The following devices qualify for a potential payout:
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
Roughly 37 million eligible devices were sold during that window, according to settlement filings. Only U.S. residents who bought their device for personal use, not resale, can file a claim.
Current Status Of The Settlement
Preliminary Approval Still Pending
As of this week, the settlement has not yet received final preliminary approval from the court. A hearing took place, but the judge has not issued a ruling on the matter. This is an earlier step than final approval, which will require a separate hearing later.
Expected Timeline For Claims
Once preliminary approval is granted, eligible customers should receive an email notice within about 45 days. No action is required from affected device owners at this time, and there is no need to contact Apple directly. Industry reporting suggests payouts likely won’t begin until late 2026 or early 2027, assuming the settlement clears all remaining legal steps, including a final hearing for approval.
A separate Siri-related securities case, brought by South Korea’s National Pension Service, is unrelated to this consumer settlement and focuses on investor losses rather than on device owners.
How Much Money iPhone 16 Owners Could Receive
Under the proposed terms, each eligible device qualifies for a presumptive payment of $25. That amount can rise to $95 per device if the total number of claims filed is lower than expected. The final payout depends heavily on participation, since the $250 million fund is shared among everyone who submits a valid claim.
Part of the settlement money will also cover administrative costs and attorney fees before any remaining funds reach eligible customers. Payments are expected to be issued electronically or by check, depending on the option each claimant selects during the filing process.
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How To File A Claim When The Window Opens
When the claims process officially opens, documentation will be required to verify eligibility. Based on court filings, claimants should prepare to provide:
- Proof of purchase for the eligible device
- The device’s serial number
- A valid phone number
- Apple Account information linked to the device
A dedicated settlement website is expected to go live once the court approves, providing eligible customers with a formal place to submit claims and track their status.
Apple’s Response To The Siri Settlement
Apple has maintained that it introduced dozens of Apple Intelligence features across multiple languages since the original announcement. The company said it settled the case to stay focused on building future products rather than continuing a prolonged legal dispute. Apple has not admitted to any false advertising or consumer harm as part of the agreement.
Apple’s statement largely focused on features already shipped rather than the specific delays named in the lawsuit. The company framed the settlement as a way to avoid a lengthy trial while continuing work on Apple Intelligence across its wider product lineup.
What This Means For iPhone 16 Buyers Going Forward
For now, iPhone 16 owners who purchased their device during the qualifying window simply need to watch their email for a settlement notice. Court approval remains the next major milestone, and the exact claims deadline will be set once that happens. Apple has said that future Siri upgrades tied to Apple Intelligence will continue to roll out through iOS software updates at no extra cost to current iPhone 16 users.
