Own an iPhone 16? Apple Could Pay You Up to $95 in Siri Settlement… But There’s One Major Catch

Some iPhone 16 owners could soon receive a cash payment from Apple, following a $250 million class-action settlement linked to delayed Siri features that were promoted as part of Apple Intelligence.

The official settlement website is now accepting claims, but there is an important condition that buyers in India should know straight away: the settlement does not cover iPhones purchased in India. Eligibility is restricted to qualifying purchasers residing in the United States who bought an eligible device there during the specified period.

How much could eligible iPhone owners receive?

Under the proposed settlement, eligible users who personally submit a valid claim are currently entitled to a payment calculated at $25 per qualifying device.

However, that figure is not necessarily final.

Depending on the number of valid claims, administrative expenses and other deductions, the payment could be adjusted. The maximum payout is capped at $95 per eligible device — roughly Rs 8,000-Rs 9,000, depending on the prevailing exchange rate.

The overall settlement fund stands at $250 million.

Which iPhones qualify?

The settlement covers original purchasers of seven Apple iPhone models:

• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16e
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max

To qualify, a person must reside in the US and have purchased an eligible device in the US between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025, for purposes other than resale.

So, simply owning an iPhone 16 is not enough to receive the money.

Why is Apple paying $250 million?

The settlement stems from a class-action lawsuit concerning Apple Intelligence-powered Siri features that Apple previewed in 2024.

Among the capabilities showcased were a more personalised Siri, including the ability to understand a user’s personal context, recognise information appearing on screen and perform deeper actions across apps.

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Some of those personalised Siri capabilities were subsequently delayed in March 2025, prompting litigation that alleged consumers had been misled by Apple’s marketing.

Apple denied the allegations, and the settlement does not constitute an admission that the company acted unlawfully. The company agreed to resolve the litigation rather than continue with the costs and uncertainty associated with the case.

Siri AI has since arrived

The dispute comes against a very different backdrop today. Apple released its next generation of Siri AI in September 2026 as part of its latest software updates.

The company says the revamped assistant brings capabilities including personal-context understanding, onscreen awareness, broader knowledge and deeper system-wide app actions.

How can eligible users claim the payment?

Those who meet the settlement requirements must submit a claim themselves through the official settlement portal. The claims process may require identifying information linked to the eligible device, including its serial number.

Official Smartphone AI Settlement website

The deadline to file a claim is December 21, 2026. A final approval hearing is scheduled for February 24, 2027, meaning payments will not be distributed until the settlement receives final approval and any appeals are resolved.

Bought your iPhone 16 in India? You won’t qualify

For Indian iPhone users, this is the most important detail.

An iPhone 16 purchased in India does not qualify for this settlement. Even if it is one of the eligible models, the settlement requires the qualifying purchase to have been made in the United States, along with the other eligibility conditions.

Therefore, Indian customers should be cautious about social media posts suggesting that every iPhone 16 owner can claim money from Apple. The potential payout applies only to members who meet the settlement’s specific US eligibility requirements.