Apple has started depositing settlement checks into the bank accounts of iPhone users who submitted claims under the “batterygate” class action lawsuit. The tech giant agreed to pay up to $500 million in 2020 to resolve accusations of secretly slowing down older iPhones.
iOS Update Throttled iPhone Performance
The lawsuit was filed in December 2017, shortly after Apple admitted to limiting maximum performance on older iPhones. This power management system was introduced in the iOS 10.2.1 update but not mentioned in the release notes.
Apple said this “throttling” was necessary to prevent unexpected iPhone shutdowns as batteries chemically aged over time. However, they faced backlash for not clearly communicating the change to consumers. The company apologized and temporarily reduced iPhone battery replacement prices to $29 in 2018.
Affected Models and Apple’s Response
The settlement class includes American iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus and original iPhone SE owners before December 21, 2017. These users who submitted claims by the October 2020 deadline are now receiving $92.17 each from Apple.
While issuing payments, Apple maintains it did not admit to any wrongdoing. The company says it agreed to settle only to avoid expensive litigation. It has consistently denied the lawsuit’s accusations of intentionally shortening older iPhones’ battery life to push upgrades.
The “batterygate” saga highlighted controversies around smartphone makers transparency regarding changes that impact device performance and lifespan. Apple had to clarify its policies following scrutiny from dissatisfied customers.
