Mumbai, Sep 21 : Apple has opened the claims process for a $250 million settlement linked to a US class-action lawsuit over delayed artificial intelligence features announced for its Siri voice assistant. Eligible iPhone users can begin submitting claims from September 21, according to reports on the settlement process. MacRumors
The case centres on advanced Siri capabilities that Apple previewed in 2024 as part of its Apple Intelligence initiative. The company had showcased features designed to make Siri more aware of a user’s personal context, understand what was displayed on the screen and perform actions across applications. Some of those capabilities were not available when the relevant iPhones reached consumers.
The lawsuit alleged that Apple’s marketing of the upgraded Siri features influenced customers’ purchasing decisions. Plaintiffs argued that buyers had paid for devices while expecting the enhanced assistant capabilities that had been presented by the company.
Apple has denied the allegations and has not admitted wrongdoing as part of the settlement. The company agreed to the payment arrangement to avoid the expense and uncertainty associated with continuing the litigation. Reuters
Under the settlement terms, eligible customers could receive an estimated payment of about $25 for each qualifying device. However, the final amount may vary depending on the number of valid claims submitted. The maximum payment is expected to be $95 per eligible device, according to information published about the claims process. MacRumors
The claims period is scheduled to run from September 21 through December 21, giving eligible consumers around three months to file their applications. The settlement still involves a formal court process, with final approval expected to be considered at a hearing scheduled for February 2027. Payments are therefore not expected to be distributed immediately.
The dispute highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence features in the smartphone market. Smartphone companies increasingly promote AI capabilities as major reasons for upgrading devices, with functions ranging from writing assistance and image editing to personalised digital assistants and on-device processing.
For Apple, Siri has become an important part of its wider AI strategy. The company introduced Apple Intelligence as a broader platform rather than simply a standalone upgrade to its voice assistant. The system includes AI-powered functions across writing, notifications, image creation, device interaction and other areas.
The delay in delivering the promised Siri capabilities nevertheless created a gap between the features presented during Apple’s product announcements and what consumers initially received. The legal dispute subsequently placed greater attention on how technology companies communicate future AI capabilities before those functions are commercially available.
The settlement also comes at a time when competition in consumer AI is intensifying. Technology companies are increasingly integrating generative AI directly into smartphones, computers and other personal devices. As these systems become more capable, expectations around their availability, performance and reliability are also rising.
Apple’s case illustrates a broader challenge facing the technology industry: companies often announce AI systems well before every feature is ready for public release. Development of advanced assistants can involve large language models, cloud infrastructure, device-level processing, privacy protections and integration with third-party applications. Delays in any of these areas can affect the final rollout.
The Siri dispute therefore extends beyond the settlement itself. It demonstrates how announcements about artificial intelligence can have financial and legal consequences when consumers interpret them as commitments about products they are purchasing.
For iPhone owners in the United States who believe they meet the eligibility requirements, the immediate development is the opening of the claims process. The settlement applies to qualifying US consumers under the terms of the court-approved process and does not represent a general payment to all iPhone users worldwide. MacRumors
The case is also notable because Apple continues to develop Siri alongside its broader Apple Intelligence ecosystem. The company has previously said that additional AI-powered Siri capabilities were being developed after the original timetable changed.
As the smartphone industry moves further toward AI-focused products, the experience could influence how consumers evaluate future announcements. Companies may face greater scrutiny over the difference between features demonstrated during product launches and functions that are actually available when devices reach customers.