Apple has reached a $20 million settlement in a class action lawsuit concerning battery swelling issues in early Apple Watch models.
If you owned an Apple Watch Series 0, 1, 2, or 3 and experienced this problem, you might be eligible for compensation.
The Lawsuit and Apple’s Response
The lawsuit, Smith et al. v. Apple Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Despite agreeing to settle, Apple firmly denies any wrongdoing or that its smartwatches had battery swelling defects. According to Apple, the decision to settle was made purely to “avoid further costs of litigation.”
Apple spokesperson Aushawna Collins reiterated this stance, stating that the company “strongly disagrees with the claims made against these early-generation Apple Watch models.”
Who Qualifies for a Payout?
To be eligible, you must have owned one of the affected Apple Watch models and reported a battery swelling issue to Apple between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024. If you meet these criteria, you have until April 10, 2025, to confirm or update your payment details to receive compensation.
How Much Can You Get?
According to the settlement’s FAQ, payouts are expected to range from $20 to $50 per affected device. However, accepting the settlement means you waive the right to take any future legal action regarding battery issues on these Apple Watch models.
If you’d rather opt-out or object to the settlement, you have until February 24, 2025, to do so.
