A approaching deadline has been set for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus users to register for a piece of Apple’s $35 million settlement due to audio issues with their device’s microphone. Eligible users can receive anywhere from $50 to $349 from Apple if they owned one of those phone models between September 16, 2016 and January 3, 2023, and reported a covered audio issue or paid for repairs. The claim deadline is June 3, and all claims must be submitted through the settlement website. Those who paid for repairs can receive a maximum of $349, while those who reported the issue but didn’t pay for repairs can receive up to $125. The minimum payout for eligible claimants is $50. The lawsuit leading to this settlement was initiated in 2019 by plaintiffs Joseph Casillas and De’Jhontai Banks, who both experienced audio issues with their phones shortly after purchasing them in 2017.
The initial complaint described the audio problems as distorted sound and difficulties hearing callers, which are common signs of the Audio IC Defect. This defect was attributed to inadequate casing on the phones, and the lawsuit alleged that Apple was aware of the issue but refused to repair affected phones free of charge. In the settlement agreement, Apple denied any audio issues with the phones and claimed it had not acted improperly or unlawfully in its handling of the situation. The lawsuit, which led to the settlement, was filed by plaintiffs who argued that Apple should have repaired the affected phones free of charge due to the company’s knowledge of the Audio IC Defect. The final settlement amount was set at $35 million, and eligible claimants have until June 3 to submit their claims through the settlement website.
Overall, iPhone 7 and 7 Plus users who experienced audio issues with their device’s microphone may be eligible to receive compensation ranging from $50 to $349 from Apple as part of a $35 million settlement. The settlement is limited to users who owned one of those phone models between September 16, 2016 and January 3, 2023, and reported a covered audio issue or paid for repairs. The deadline to submit a claim is June 3, and claims must be made through the settlement website. Those who paid for repairs can receive a maximum of $349, while those who reported the issue without paying for repairs can receive up to $125. The minimum payout for eligible claimants is $50. The lawsuit leading to this settlement was filed by plaintiffs who alleged that Apple had long been aware of the Audio IC Defect and refused to repair affected phones free of charge.
The lawsuit accused Apple of neglecting to address the Audio IC Defect, which resulted in distorted sound and difficulties hearing callers for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus users. The settlement offers users the opportunity to claim compensation for these issues, with payouts ranging based on whether they paid for repairs or simply reported the issue. The settlement website provides additional details on how eligible users can submit a claim and potentially receive compensation from Apple. The deadline for users to file a claim and take part in this settlement is June 3, so affected iPhone 7 and 7 Plus users are advised to act promptly to ensure they can receive their share of the $35 million settlement.
