San Francisco (CNN Business) — Apple customers who purchased certain models of iPhone Previously, they can now file claims of around $ 25 per device as part of a company settlement regarding a class action lawsuit accusing it of slowing down older phones.
The deal, announced in March, applies to customers who purchased iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus or SE models before December 21, 2017 and experienced performance issues, according to one site. website created for users to send claims.
Apple will pay “per eligible device,” the deal says, which means that owners of multiple affected iPhones can file multiple claims.
Affected users must submit a claim online or by mail by October 6 to be eligible for a payment. A court complaint in March says the amount each user receives may increase or decrease depending on the number of claims filed, as well as the court-approved additional legal fees and expenses.
Apple agreed to pay up to $ 500 million as part of the settlement agreement earlier this year, culminating in a yearlong legal battle in which it sought to temper a global backlash against its practices.
The company admitted in December 2017 that it was using software updates to slow down older iPhones. Annoying customers and technology analysts had previously pointed out that the updates were causing a decrease in performance. Some suggested that Apple did so to force users to switch to the latest iPhone model, but the company said its goal was to address issues with older lithium-ion batteries that would cause phones to suddenly shut down to protect their components.
Apple later apologized and offered battery replacements to its customers for $ 79, which it later reduced to $ 29. The company’s chief executive officer, Tim Cook, admitted a year later that the company’s revenue was partially affected. for “a significant reduction in the prices of iPhone battery replacements.”
The settlement is still subject to final approval, with a hearing scheduled for December 4 in the District Court of U.S in San José, California.
“Payments will be made if the court approves the settlement and after appeals are resolved,” according to a notice on the claims website.
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