Apple has begun compensating iPhone consumers who say the company purposely slowed down parts of their handsets.
In 2017, a number of iPhone customers in the United States reported a decline in device performance after installing the most current software versions, iOS 10.2.1 and 11.2.0.
In the same year, Apple validated many iPhone users’ fears by revealing that it purposely slows down specific iPhone models as they age.
According to the reports, the company slows down some models as they age, but only because the phones’ battery performance degrades over time.
Because of the processes involved in the charging and discharging cycles, lithium batteries used in iPhones deteriorate with time.
Those who have submitted complaints, which number roughly three million, will be entitled to a piece of a $500 million (£394 million) settlement, which equates to about $92 per claim.
Apple previously called the lawsuit “baseless” and said, “We have never—and would never—do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades.
Apple also stressed its commitment to extending the life of its customers’ devices rather than pressuring them to buy new phones.
However, the lawsuit claimed that the firm purposefully slowed down phone service without alerting customers.
Apple negotiated a settlement in 2020, claiming that it was not involved in any wrongdoing but was aware of the costs connected with prolonged legal processes.
According to reports, several of the complainants have shared on social media that they have received a $92.17 settlement.
This comes as UK owners await the outcome of a similar action against Apple, which was approved in November of last year.
Justin Gutmann, a consumer advocate, initiated the UK case.
Gutmann claims that the IT giant misled around 25 million users by stealthily slowing down their gadgets.
