Apple to Pay $250M to iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro Owners for AI Feature Delays

Apple has reached a class-action settlement, agreeing to pay $250 million to owners of iPhone 16 and select iPhone 15 Pro models. The lawsuit was filed due to delays in launching Apple Intelligence features, which were heavily promoted upon the release of the new smartphones but were not immediately available.

Under the settlement, compensation will be provided to buyers of iPhone 16 (all models) and iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max purchased between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. These devices are equipped with chips capable of supporting AI features, but their implementation was delayed. Approximately 36 million users are estimated to be eligible under the agreement.

Payouts will range from $25 to $95 per device. The exact amount will depend on the model and other conditions to be clarified later. Apple is expected to submit purchaser data to the settlement administrator by June 2026, after which notifications will be distributed. Claims can be filed within 90 days of receiving the notice.

The first payouts are scheduled for September 2026, though timelines may shift due to legal procedures. Verita, the appointed settlement administrator, will create a dedicated website for claim submissions. Notifications will be sent via email and postal mail.

Apple commented on the situation, stating that the company remains focused on innovation and delivering cutting-edge technologies to users. The settlement pertains to two features that were unavailable at launch but were later introduced in iOS 18 updates.