Apple has agreed to a $500 million settlement following a lawsuit alleging that the company deliberately slowed down older iPhone models to encourage customers to purchase newer devices or batteries.
A federal judge in California will review the proposed settlement in early April. The tech giant will offer $25 to current or former owners of covered iPhone models. Those named in the lawsuit will receive $1,500 or $3,500, and a portion of the settlement will cover attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses.
Owners of iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, or SE running on specific iOS versions are eligible for the settlement. The minimum payout is $310 million, but it could increase to $500 million if more claims are filed.
The lawsuit centered on Apple’s mobile software that slowed down phones to prevent unexpected shutdowns. Apple admitted in 2017 that it had adjusted the iOS software to slow down older iPhones with deteriorating battery life, leading to accusations that the company was intentionally pushing users to buy new devices or batteries.
