When the iPhone 16 debuted in 2024, Apple promoted new AI features for its virtual assistant Siri, part of software updates that were marketed as “Apple Intelligence.”
The company has been racing to keep pace with tech competitors during the AI surge but has yet to deliver the promised Siri overhaul two years later.
The lawsuit, filed for US consumers in the Northern District of California federal court in San Francisco, accused Apple of misleading customers through a marketing campaign that advertised features that were not yet available, persuading them to purchase the devices.
According to a court filing, attorneys for the iPhone users requested preliminary approval for the proposed $250 million settlement. If a judge approves it, this could rank among the largest settlements in Apple’s history.
The settlement would apply to approximately 37 million devices purchased in the United States between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025, which includes all iPhone 16 models as well as the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Device owners will qualify for a payment of at least $25 for each unit, which could increase to $95 based on the volume of other claims filed “and other factors,” as stated in the filing.
Notifications will be sent to customers via email or mail about the opportunity to file a claim on a settlement website, as indicated.
Apple, located in Cupertino, California, was surprised by the significant consumer demand for the Siri AI features. Customers expressed frustration upon realizing that these new features would be launched later than anticipated, according to the filing.
They “would not have purchased the Eligible Devices or would have paid significantly less, had they known Enhanced Siri features were not available,” the filing noted.
While Apple’s AI features are still in development, competitors like Google and Samsung have been implementing more of this technology in their products. The company is expected to unveil its Siri upgrade this year, likely at its annual developer conference next month.
