iPhone Users Eligible for Up to $349 in Settlement Over Audio Issues
Owners of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus devices may qualify for compensation from a $35 million settlement regarding audio issues. Those eligible could receive up to $349 as part of the agreement, following a lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California in 2019.
To qualify, users must have owned an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus between September 16, 2016, and January 3, 2023, and either reported audio issues to Apple or paid for related repairs. Problems could include malfunctions with FaceTime, the loudspeaker, Siri, or the voice memo app.
The lawsuit centers on an audio chip defect that impacted sound output. Despite settling, Apple has denied any wrongdoing or defects with the devices. Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The iPhone 7 series, introduced in September 2016, was notable for eliminating the headphone jack to enhance sound quality, create a thinner design, and improve water resistance.
Potential claimants might receive notification via email or postcard. The deadline to submit a claim is June 3, with a final approval hearing scheduled for July 18.
This settlement follows a previous case where Apple agreed to a $500 million settlement for iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE users who claimed the company slowed down older devices to push customers towards newer models. Those affected were eligible for $25 each.
