Apple Settles iPhone Performance Throttling Lawsuit

Apple Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

Apple Agrees to $500 Million Settlement in Class Action Lawsuit Over iPhone Performance Throttling

May 14, 2025

Cupertino, CA – Apple has agreed to pay $500 million to settle a long-running class action lawsuit alleging the company deliberately slowed down older iPhones without proper user consent. The settlement, approved by a U.S. district court this week, marks the conclusion of a legal battle that began in 2017.

Background of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit stemmed from Apple’s 2016 iOS update, which the company claimed was intended to prevent unexpected shutdowns in older iPhone models with aging batteries. However, users accused Apple of intentionally throttling device performance without transparency, forcing them to upgrade to newer models prematurely.

The controversy, dubbed 'Batterygate,' sparked global backlash and regulatory scrutiny. Apple later apologized and introduced a discounted battery replacement program, but multiple lawsuits were consolidated into a class action case in 2018.

Settlement Details

Under the settlement, Apple will pay up to
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500million∗∗,witheligibleiPhoneusersreceivingapproximately∗∗65 to $90 per claim, depending on the number of valid submissions. The compensation covers U.S. owners of:

iPhone 6, 6 Plus

iPhone 6s, 6s Plus

iPhone 7, 7 Plus

iPhone SE (1st gen)
running iOS 10.2.1 or later before December 21, 2017.

Affected users must file claims through a designated settlement website by September 30, 2025.

Apple’s Response

While Apple denied any wrongdoing, the company stated that the settlement was a way to 'avoid lengthy and costly litigation.' In a brief statement, Apple reiterated its commitment to 'providing the best user experience' and highlighted subsequent iOS updates that offer more battery health transparency.

Legal and Consumer Reactions

Consumer advocacy groups have praised the settlement as a win for accountability. 'This sends a clear message that companies must be upfront about software changes affecting device performance,' said Laura Johnson of Consumer Watchdog.

However, some critics argue the payout is minimal compared to Apple’s profits, with the tech giant having generated over $394 billion in revenue in 2024 alone.

What’s Next?

Eligible iPhone users are encouraged to submit claims through the official settlement portal (www.iPhonePerformanceSettlement.com). Meanwhile, Apple continues to face scrutiny in other regions, including ongoing investigations in Europe over similar allegations.

This settlement underscores growing demands for corporate transparency in tech—a sector where software updates increasingly influence hardware longevity.

For more updates, follow our tech news desk. Have an affected iPhone? Check your eligibility and file a claim before the September deadline.

Apple Settles iPhone Performance Throttling Lawsuit

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