Apple to pay up to $500M over battery-related phone slowdown
Apple admitted it slowed phone performance in older models to avoid unexpected shutdowns related to battery fatigue
Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses coronavirus’ impact on Apple and the evolving educational demands of jobs in America.
IPhone owners could be getting some payback for the inconvenience of their phones slowing down.
Customers could get $25 from Apple after the company agreed to pay up to $500 million to settle claims over intentionally slowing down older phones to preserve older batteries.
Apple admitted in 2017 that it was slowing down phone performance in older models to avoid unexpected shutdowns related to battery fatigue.
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That admission led to Apple offering discounted battery replacements at $29, but many people claimed they had already spent hundreds of dollars to buy new phones because Apple didn't reveal the cause of the problem.
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If they had known they could just buy new batteries, they might not have bought new phones, some consumers in the case said.
Apple did not admit wrongdoing. As part of the settlement, the company will pay $310 million to $500 million, including about $93 million to lawyers representing consumers.
Apple iPhone 6s screen. (iStock)
IPhone users who were named in the class-action lawsuit will get up to $3,500 each. The rest of the settlement money will be distributed to owners of iPhone 6, 6S, 7 and SE models who meet eligibility requirements.
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A federal judge in San Jose, California, still needs to approve the settlement.
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The Associated Press contributed to this article.