Apple is now stuck in legal trouble over its own claims. The company has agreed to a settlement of $250 million (approximately ₹23.77 billion), under which users who purchased the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro can get a refund. The case focuses on unfulfilled promises regarding Siri and Apple Intelligence features. The allegation is that at the time of launch, Apple promoted features that were not fully available. Now, consumers can directly benefit from these results.
Big promises before launch, incomplete features later
The controversy started when Apple gave a big showcase of its Apple Intelligence features at WWDC 2024. The company had claimed that advanced Siri capabilities and personalized AI tools will be fully available on the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro models. These features were highlighted during the launch event, where it was said that the devices were “built for Apple Intelligence”. However, when these phones hit the market, many key features were either missing or incomplete. Apple then slowly introduced features like Genmoji, Playground, and ChatGPT integration over time, leading users to believe that the initial promises were misleading.
Full Story: Class-Action Lawsuit and Settlement
A group of consumers in the United States has filed a class-action lawsuit over the matter. They allege that Apple’s marketing misled them, as it promised features that were not available at the time of the product’s launch. The lawsuit specifically targets those who purchased the iPhone 16 or iPhone 15 Pro between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. Apple has reportedly agreed to a settlement totaling $250 million, although the company has denied any wrongdoing. The agreement aims to end a long-running legal dispute.
**Who will get compensation, and how much?**
Under the terms of the agreement, eligible customers in the United States have the potential to receive compensation. Users who file a lawsuit could get up to about $25 per device. However, the final amount will depend on how many people file claims. According to some estimates, this figure could rise to $95 per phone. An advertisement featuring actress Bella Ramsay and an “upgraded” Siri also made headlines in relation to the issue, although it was later withdrawn. Now this agreement is being seen as a source of relief for users and an important lesson for the tech industry.