Apple has agreed to a $250 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit that accused the company of false advertising regarding the capabilities of its Siri voice assistant and other Apple Intelligence features. The lawsuit, filed by Clarkson Law Firm, alleged that Apple's marketing campaign for its iPhone 16 and certain iPhone 15 models overstated the availability of advanced AI functionalities, misleading consumers into purchasing devices with features that were not yet fully realized.
The settlement, which requires court approval, would apply to approximately 36 million eligible devices purchased in the United States between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. These eligible devices include all iPhone 16 models, as well as the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Claimants could receive a payment of $25 per device, with the potential to increase up to $95 per device, depending on the total number of claims submitted and other factors. The settlement fund also covers administrative costs and attorneys' fees.
Plaintiffs contended that Apple launched a significant advertising campaign in 2024, highlighting enhanced Siri capabilities and other Apple Intelligence features as part of the iPhone 16 launch. They argued that these promotions created a clear expectation that these advanced features would be available upon release. However, many of these advertised functionalities, including a more personalized and contextually aware Siri, experienced significant delays. Apple had previously pulled some advertisements related to these features after acknowledging the delays in March 2025. The lawsuit further alleged that Apple's promotion of these delayed features constituted false advertising and unfair competition, driving sales of devices that did not immediately deliver on their advertised AI potential.
The Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division had also previously concluded that Apple had falsely suggested that the new AI-powered Siri was immediately available. The lawsuit cited a Morgan Stanley survey indicating that an "enhanced Siri" was a highly anticipated feature among potential iPhone buyers.
Apple has stated that it settled the case to focus on its product development. The company noted that since the launch of Apple Intelligence, it has introduced numerous features across its platforms, including Visual Intelligence, Live Translation, and Writing Tools. The settlement does not include an admission of wrongdoing by Apple.
The settlement must still receive final approval from Judge Noël Wise of the federal district court for the northern district of California. A hearing for approval is scheduled for June 17. Eligible individuals will be notified by email or mail regarding the claims process, with claim submission invitations expected within 45 days of May 5, 2026.