Your Old iPhone Just Made You Money | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Apple's settlement payments for iPhone throttling lawsuits have started distributing to eligible users.

Key Insights

• 👤 Apple agreed to compensate users approximately $91 per eligible iPhone due to performance throttling practices.
• 💁 Users must have completed a claim form back in 2020 to receive settlement payments.
• ❓ Payment distribution started in January 2024, after years of anticipation following the original lawsuit.
• 😮 Many users may not remember submitting their forms, leading to unexpected financial surprises.
• ❓ The controversy surrounding Apple's practices highlights the importance of transparency in consumer technology.
• 🛄 Apple's actions aimed to protect device functionality but resulted in customer dissatisfaction and legal consequences.
• 🧑‍💻 Affected users can still share their experiences and settlements online, fostering community discussion about tech accountability.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Apple throttle iPhone performance without informing users?

Apple cited battery health as a reason for throttling performance in older iPhones to prevent unexpected shutdowns. However, the lack of transparency frustrated users, leading to a lawsuit that resulted from this practice. Many felt deceived, as they were not informed of these performance limits imposed based on battery conditions.

Q: What are the specifics regarding the settlement claims?

The settlement began after a class-action lawsuit against Apple, which claimed that the company did not adequately disclose its performance throttling practices. Users who owned specific models such as the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, and SE could fill out a form to claim approximately $91 per device, as compensation for the reduced performance.

Q: How can users check if they’ve received settlement payments?

Users should check their bank accounts or transaction history for any deposits from Apple related to the settlement. Payments could appear unexpectedly, so reviewing bank statements for the period following the settlement notice can help confirm if a user was eligible for compensation.

Q: What models of iPhones are eligible for the settlement?

The settlement specifically covers older models such as iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, and SE from 2016 and earlier, which were impacted by the throttling issue due to poor battery performance. Owners of these devices are encouraged to ensure they completed the claim form for compensation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• After a lawsuit in 2017 regarding throttling issues, Apple agreed to settle and offer compensation to affected iPhone users, with payments starting in January 2024.

• Eligible users include those with specific iPhone models, who filled out a settlement claim form in 2020, and they could receive around $91 per device.

• Many users may have forgotten about the claim process, so it's advisable to check bank statements for unexpected payments from Apple.