The Settlement Process Begins

Following a prolonged legal battle, Apple has officially initiated the claims process for a $250 million settlement. As reported [earlier by MacRumors](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/20/siri-ai-settlement-website-now-live/), users who believe they were impacted by the company's delays in rolling out expected artificial intelligence features can now seek compensation. Those interested in participating must visit [on the settlement’s website](https://smartphoneaisettlement.com/) to submit their information.

Eligibility Criteria and Payout Estimates

The settlement specifically covers US residents who purchased an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any model within the iPhone 16 lineup between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. To successfully file, claimants must provide their full name, contact information, and the unique serial number of their eligible device. While the current payout estimate stands at approximately $25 per device, the total final amount could fluctuate, potentially reaching up to $95 depending on the final volume of verified claims.

Origins of the Legal Dispute

The controversy traces back to the promises made by Apple [during WWDC 2024](https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/10/24175405/wwdc-apple-ai-news-features-ios-18-macos-15-iphone-ipad-mac), where the company previewed advanced intelligence features. A [class action lawsuit alleged](https://www.theverge.com/tech/924706/apple-iphone-siri-intelligence-class-action-lawsuit-settlement) that Apple established a clear and reasonable consumer expectation that these capabilities would be available at the launch of the iPhone 16. However, upon release, the hardware was equipped with a [more limited set of capabilities](https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/12/24318840/ios-18-2-apple-intelligence-chatgpt-genmoji-image-playground), despite the devices being explicitly [labeled as “built for Apple Intelligence.”](https://www.theverge.com/apple/602270/apple-intelligence-video-container)

Addressing the Siri Delay

Apple faced significant scrutiny for the delayed rollout of its [AI-upgraded Siri](https://www.theverge.com/news/626035/apple-delays-upgraded-siri-intelligence-longer-than-we-thought), a feature that was central to the marketing of its latest hardware. It was not until the company released software [arrived with iOS 27 earlier this month](https://www.theverge.com/news/994756/apple-ios-27-launch-iphone-siri-ai-update) that many of these promised functions finally reached consumers. Throughout the legal process and the eventual agreement to pay the $250 million settlement, Apple has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Final Deadline for Claimants

Eligible iPhone owners should take note that the window for filing is limited. According to the terms of the settlement, all claims must be finalized and submitted by the deadline of December 21st, 2026. Because of the volume of potential claimants, those interested in securing their payout are encouraged to act before the cutoff date to ensure their serial numbers and contact details are processed successfully.

Sources

• The VergeiPhone owners can now submit a claim in Apple’s $250 million Siri AI lawsuit