By Ashley Robinson Apple has agreed to a proposed $250 million class action settlement involving claims that certain iPhones were marketed with enhanced Siri and Apple Intelligence features that were not available as consumers allegedly expected. The agreement concerns eligible iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models purchased during a defined period. It is separate from Apple’s older $95 million Siri privacy settlement, whose claim deadline passed in 2025 and whose payments began in 2026.
The new case is Landsheft v. Apple Inc., pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Judge Noel Wise granted preliminary approval on July 17, 2026. Preliminary approval allows notices and claims administration to begin, but it is not the same as final approval or a finding that Apple did anything wrong.
What the Lawsuit Alleged
The lawsuit followed Apple’s 2024 promotion of Apple Intelligence and an upgraded version of Siri. The plaintiffs alleged that advertising created the impression that advanced Siri functions would be available on newly purchased devices. They claimed consumers paid a premium or upgraded because of features that were delayed, incomplete or unavailable during the relevant period.
Apple denied that its advertising was misleading. The company maintained that it disclosed that Apple Intelligence features would arrive over time and that it successfully released numerous other tools, including Writing Tools, Genmoji, Visual Intelligence and image-related features. Apple agreed to settle without admitting liability, saying it wanted to avoid continued litigation and focus on its products.
Who Is Included in the Settlement Class?
The conditionally approved nationwide class covers United States residents who purchased an eligible device in the United States for personal use rather than resale between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. The listed devices are the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Owning one of these phones does not necessarily guarantee payment. The proposed claim form requires a claimant to confirm that the device was purchased during the class period, that the buyer expected to receive certain Siri Apple Intelligence features at the time of purchase and that those expected features were not received. The claimant must also provide information sufficient to confirm the purchase or ownership of the eligible device.
How Much Could Each Claim Pay?
The settlement creates a non-reversionary fund of $250 million. A valid claimant is expected to receive a presumptive payment of about $25 for each eligible device. The amount may rise or fall depending on the number of approved claims, deductions for administration and any court-approved legal fees and service awards.
The payment is capped at $95 per eligible device. The cap does not mean every claimant will receive $95. Court records indicate that roughly 37 million devices may fall within the class definition, making the number of submitted claims an important factor in the final calculation. Claimants may be offered a physical check or digital payment option.
When and How Can Consumers File?
The official settlement website is SmartphoneAISettlement.com. As of August 11, 2026, the site remained on a ‘coming soon’ page and was not yet accepting claims. The preliminary approval order requires the notice program to begin no later than 45 days after July 17, which places the expected notice commencement by the end of August unless the court changes the schedule.
The claim deadline will be 90 days after the official Notice Date. Because that date had not yet been posted, consumers should not rely on unofficial deadlines circulating online. Eligible purchasers may receive an email or postcard notice, but people who believe they qualify should also check the official website once it becomes active. Filing a legitimate settlement claim should not require paying a fee.
Information Claimants Should Preserve
Potential claimants should keep purchase receipts, carrier or retailer records, order-confirmation emails and the device’s serial number or other identifying information. These records may help demonstrate that the phone was purchased in the United States during the covered period and was not acquired for resale.
Consumers should use only the official administrator’s website and contact details. Scam pages may copy settlement language or promise guaranteed payments. A genuine claim form will not ask for an Apple ID password, device passcode, banking password or advance processing fee.
What Happens After a Claim Is Submitted?
Submitting a claim does not produce an immediate payment. The administrator must review claims, and the court must still decide whether to grant final approval. The final approval hearing is presently scheduled for September 29, 2027. Payments cannot begin until final approval is entered and the settlement becomes effective after any appeals or other required steps are resolved.
Class members may also have the right to object or exclude themselves by deadlines tied to the Notice Date. Doing nothing generally means receiving no payment while remaining bound by the settlement’s release if it becomes final. The official notice should therefore be read carefully before choosing whether to claim, object, opt out or take no action.