Apple’s $250m iPhone AI settlement claims are now open
Eligible US owners of selected iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models can now claim a share of Apple’s $250m Apple Intelligence settlement.
Apple has opened the claims process for a $250 million settlement linked to allegations that it advertised Apple Intelligence features for iPhone models before those features were ready. Eligible owners can submit a claim through the official Smartphone AI Settlement website, with the claims window closing on 21 December 2026. 12
The settlement concerns iPhone buyers in the United States who purchased eligible devices between 10 June 2024 and 29 March 2025. The listed models are the iPhone 16, iPhone 16E, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. 1
What the settlement covers
According to the settlement website, Apple has agreed to place $250 million into a settlement fund while denying wrongdoing. A valid claim is expected to pay $25 per eligible device, with the final amount potentially rising to $95 or falling depending on the number of approved claims and the deductions taken from the fund. 1
The case centres on Apple’s early marketing for Apple Intelligence and an enhanced Siri. Apple introduced the iPhone 16 family as being built for Apple Intelligence, describing the system as a way to understand personal context and provide useful, relevant assistance. 3 The lawsuit alleged that some of the more ambitious capabilities shown or promised in that marketing were not available when customers bought the phones.
Apple Intelligence did begin arriving after the iPhone 16 launch. Apple’s own newsroom described features including Writing Tools, notification summaries and other generative functions as part of the software rollout, while later capabilities arrived through subsequent updates. 3 The settlement does not mean every Apple Intelligence feature was absent; it addresses the specific claims covered by the legal agreement.
Who can claim and when
The official settlement site says people who bought an eligible device during the stated period may submit a claim. Potential class members may also receive a notice by email or post from Verita, the settlement administrator. The official claims form is available at SmartphoneAISettlement.com, and applicants should use the settlement administrator’s instructions rather than relying on social-media posts or unofficial claim services. 1
The deadline is 21 December 2026. The settlement website estimates that about 36 million customers could be eligible, although the amount paid to each claimant depends on the total number of valid claims and the court-approved allocation process. 1
The case received preliminary approval from the court in July, with a later order moving the final approval timetable forward. The final payment schedule remains dependent on the settlement proceeding through the required court and administration stages. 24
What Apple says
Apple said in a statement reported by CNET that it had reached the settlement to resolve claims related to the availability of two additional features, while maintaining that the agreement allows it to focus on delivering products and services. The company’s position is distinct from the allegations made in the lawsuit, which the settlement resolves without turning them into a finding that Apple intentionally misled customers. 2
That distinction matters because a settlement is not the same thing as a court ruling that every allegation was proved. Claimants should read the official notice, check the eligibility rules and keep any purchase information requested by the administrator. The settlement website is the authoritative place for the current form, deadline and frequently asked questions. 1
Our opinion
The practical takeaway is straightforward: eligible US iPhone owners should check the official settlement website before the deadline, but should not assume that the headline figure guarantees a $250 million windfall or that every iPhone buyer qualifies. The expected payment is modest, the list of eligible models is specific and the final amount depends on participation and administration costs.
The story also underlines why launch-day software promises need careful scrutiny. Apple’s iPhone 16 marketing accurately described the devices as being built for Apple Intelligence, but the most ambitious version of that pitch was always tied to software arriving over time. For readers deciding whether to claim, the settlement’s own eligibility rules matter more than the broader debate over how quickly Apple Intelligence matured.