Apple Customers Could Get Money From $250M Settlement-Who's Eligible?
Millions of iPhone owners may be receiving some money back after Apple agreed to a $250 million settlement resolving claims that the company misled customers about artificial‑intelligence (AI) features tied to recent models.
Under the proposed class‑action settlement, eligible customers could receive between $25 and $95 per device, depending on how many people file claims and how many qualifying devices each person owns.
The agreement still requires court approval, which is currently scheduled for June 17. The case is shaping up to be one of the largest consumer settlements involving Apple and reflects growing legal scrutiny over how major tech companies market AI capabilities.
Apple has denied any wrongdoing.
What to Know
The case, Landsheft v. Apple Inc., which was filed last year in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, centers on Apple's marketing of its "Apple Intelligence" and enhanced Siri features when it rolled out newer iPhone models.
According to court filings, plaintiffs alleged that Apple prominently advertised advanced AI‑powered capabilities, including enhanced Siri features, that were not yet available at the time of purchase. Consumers said those claims influenced their decision to buy or upgrade, and that the promised functionality was delayed or never delivered as initially described.
"For many buyers, the promised AI Siri enhancements still haven’t arrived," Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek. "The $25–$95 payout sounds modest against an $800–$1,200 phone purchase, but the real significance isn’t the check, but the precedent. This is one of the first major consumer class action settlements explicitly tied to AI feature misrepresentation."
He added: "It establishes that companies can’t market AI capabilities as selling points if those capabilities aren’t functional at time of purchase. When every company is racing to slap ‘AI’ on everything from refrigerators to earbuds, that’s a meaningful legal boundary being drawn."
Apple agreed to settle the lawsuit, saying the company wanted to stay focused on delivering products and services to customers.
“Apple has reached a settlement to resolve claims related to the availability of two additional features,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “We resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users.”
Who Is Eligible
The proposed settlement covers U.S. customers who purchased specific iPhone models between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. The models include:
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
Court filings estimate that up to 37 million devices could qualify.
How Much Money Could You Get
Eligible customers are expected to receive a minimum payment of $25 per qualifying device. The maximum payment is likely to be $95 per device, according to the court filing.
"A $95 payout to consumers is hardly substantial, and many large corporations settle these cases without ever admitting wrongdoing. At the end of the day, this benefits corporations far more than it benefits everyday people," Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek.
He added: "The larger impact is likely business as usual, where companies continue operating without meaningful accountability while shifting consumers toward the next wave of products and promises, now centered around AI."
How to File a Claim
Payments will not be automatic.
According to the settlement filings, eligible consumers will be notified by email or mail. Subsequently, a dedicated settlement website will be launched with instructions and claim forms.
Detailed filing steps are expected to be available after the court’s approval.
What Happens Next
Payments will be distributed to those eligible after claims are reviewed and finalized. Until then, consumers are advised to watch for official settlement notices.
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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 5:31 PM.