Apple agrees to $250M settlement over marketing Apple Intelligence Siri features that did not ship with iPhone 16 (Landsheft v. Apple)
On May 5, 2026 Apple agreed to pay $250M to settle Landsheft v. Apple, a class action alleging it advertised Apple Intelligence Siri features that did not ship with the iPhone 16 line and iPhone 15 Pro and were later delayed. Buyers from June 10, 2024 to March 29, 2025 can claim $25 per device (up to $95). The court granted preliminary approval on July 17, claims opened Sept 21, and the claim deadline is Dec 21, 2026. Apple admitted no wrongdoing.
Key facts
- Settled Tuesday May 5, 2026 for $250M, with no admission of fault (Reuters via Claims Journal, May 6)
- Case: Landsheft, et al. v. Apple Inc., No. 5:25-cv-02668-NW (N.D. Cal., San Jose). Lead plaintiff Peter Landsheft
- Allegation: Apple marketed the next-generation Siri features shown at WWDC 2024 as capabilities of the iPhone 16 lineup and the iPhone 15 Pro models, but they did not ship and were delayed
- Eligible: iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone 16/16 Plus/16 Pro/16 Pro Max/16e bought June 10, 2024 – March 29, 2025. $25 per device base, up to $95 depending on claim volume
- Preliminary approval July 17, 2026. Claims opened Sept 21. Claim and opt-out deadline Dec 21, 2026. Final approval hearing Feb 24, 2027 (settlement summaries). Site: smartphoneaisettlement.com
- Apple statement: 'Apple has reached a settlement to resolve claims related to the availability of two additional features. We resolved this matter to stay focused on ... delivering the most innovative products and services to our users.'
- Context: the delayed Siri features were unveiled at WWDC on June 8, 2026 and shipped with iOS 27 in September 2026
What happened
Apple settled the consumer class action over the delayed "personalized Siri" features of Apple Intelligence. Apple heavily advertised them when the iPhone 16 launched in 2024 but did not deliver them until 2026. The settlement has been preliminarily approved and is now paying claims. In October 2026 it was widely covered as "how to claim" news (e.g. CNET).
Why it matters
It is a large consumer payout for overpromising AI features, and a reminder that marketing unreleased AI capabilities carries legal risk. Compare the securities suit against Alphabet over the delayed Gemini 3.5 Pro.
Changelog
- 2026-10-04: created (backfilled from CNET item in sweep 2026-10-04)
Related events
- WWDC 2026: Apple unveils Siri AI and new Apple Foundation Models built with Google's Gemini ★★★★
- Apple ships iOS 27 with Gemini-assisted "Siri AI" after unveiling the 2nm A20 Pro iPhone 18 Pro ★★★★
Sources (4)
- pressClaims Journal (Reuters): Apple settles lawsuit over late Siri AI features for $250 million
- pressFortune: Apple promised a smarter Siri; you can get up to $95 back
- discussionOpen Class Actions: Apple Intelligence Siri settlement details
- pressCBS News: Apple settlement offers eligible iPhone owners up to $95
id: 2026-05-05-apple-250m-siri-ai-false-advertising-settlement · updated 2026-10-04 · open in the interactive timeline