Apple aficionados wielding older iterations of the iPhone may be entitled to a financial reprieve, courtesy of a substantial $35 million settlement.
The technological behemoth acquiesced to this arrangement subsequent to a class action litigation which illuminated latent deficiencies in certain iPhone variants. This resolution encompasses restitution for proprietors of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus who possessed these devices between September 16 and January 3, 2023.
Eligibility hinges on ownership within this timeframe, documentation of audio grievances, and personally financing any requisite repairs.
Qualifying individuals stand to receive remuneration as lofty as $349.
Despite the settlement, Apple has refrained from acknowledging any culpability.
The lawsuit’s crux was the ‘audio integrated circuit malfunction,’ attributed to flawed audio components.
The complaint indicted Apple for ‘obscuring a critical defect that rendered iPhone audio functionalities inoperative, thereby negating their fundamental utility as smartphones.’
So, how does one proceed with a claim if eligible? First, ascertain you meet the stipulated criteria.
To reiterate, eligibility requires owning an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus between the specified dates, reporting audio defects, and incurring out-of-pocket expenses for repairs.
Should you have borne repair costs, you may claim a minimum of $50 up to $349.
Conversely, those who reported the defect but did not finance repairs qualify for $125.
Submission of repair receipts is unnecessary as verification will be conducted via Apple’s repair archives.
However, repairs executed by third-party entities may introduce complications. Additionally, note the imperative deadlines for claims submission, objections to the settlement, or exclusion requests.
June 3, 2024, marks the cutoff for claim submissions, while the final approval hearing is slated for July 18.
Failure to file a claim or exclude yourself from the settlement forfeits any entitlement to payment and precludes further legal action against Apple on this matter.
The lawsuit asserted: “Due to Apple’s inequitable, misleading, and/or deceitful business practices, iPhone owners, including Plaintiffs, have sustained identifiable losses.
“Apple’s inequitable and misleading trade practices were conducted under circumstances exacerbating the severity of the situation.”
This article was originally published on unilad. Read the orignal article.
- FAQs
- How do I know if I am eligible for the settlement?
- What if I no longer have my iPhone 7 or 7 Plus?
- Do I need to provide proof of repair costs?
- Can I still file a claim if I went to a third-party repair service?
- When can I expect to receive my compensation?