Apple to pay up to $500 million in compensation for slowing down some iPhones: What those models?

As concerns about the battery performance of the newly released iPhone 14 ripple through the tech community, the longstanding legal battle stemming from the 2017 batterygate controversy is finally winding down. The original lawsuit, which saw Apple embroiled in accusations of deceptive practices, is now reaching its conclusion as the 9th Circuit dismisses appeals against the terms of the settlement, marking a significant milestone in this high-profile case.

According to The Verge, representing Apple's customers in the lawsuit, the law firm Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy recently declared that the 9th Circuit has ruled in favor of dismissing two cases brought by individuals contesting the conditions of what the firm referred to as "the most substantial cash recovery ever seen in a computer intrusion case." This landmark decision paves the way for the disbursement of millions of dollars to the rightful recipients, comprising owners of the following iPhone models: 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and the first-generation iPhone SE.

According to the stipulations outlined in the settlement, Apple has committed to paying out a sum ranging from a minimum of $310 million to a ceiling of $500 million, contingent upon the number of claimants that participate in the resolution process. Regrettably, for those who have only recently become aware of this legal development, the deadline for filing a claim lapsed in October 2020. Nonetheless, for the approximately 3 million individuals who successfully submitted their claims and received approval, an estimated payment of approximately $65 is in the offing. Detailed information regarding the settlement can be found on a dedicated website established for this purpose.

The heart of the class-action lawsuit lay in Apple's admission that it had intentionally slowed down devices once its iOS detected that the batteries had undergone degradation. The company had asserted that this measure was taken to avert instances of abrupt device shutdowns, a consequence of inadequate battery power supply. Critically, however, Apple had not disclosed this performance throttling change, which was introduced through an iOS 10 software update, until users raised concerns. This revelation fueled allegations of "planned obsolescence," a term coined by critics to highlight how the unannounced modification potentially coerced users into replacing their iPhones prematurely, even though Apple argued that the intention was to enhance device functionality over time.

As the two narratives of iPhone battery troubles and the impending closure of the batterygate lawsuit continue to unfold in the tech sphere, the industry and consumers alike await the ultimate resolution of these intertwined sagas.