Apple to settle Apple Watch battery swelling lawsuit for $20 million

Apple has reached a $20 million settlement regarding a class action lawsuit concerning battery swelling in earlier Apple Watch models. If you owned a Series 0, 1, 2, or 3 and experienced battery swelling, you may be entitled to a payout.

The lawsuit, known as Smith et al. v. Apple Inc, was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. In the settlement agreement and on the claim website, Apple denies any battery swelling issues with its smartwatches and refutes all claims of wrongdoing. Despite this denial, Apple has chosen to settle to avoid further litigation costs.

Apple spokesperson Aushawna Collins stated that the company disagrees strongly with the accusations made against the early generation Apple Watch models. To be eligible for a payout, you must have owned one of the eligible watch models and reported any battery swelling problems to Apple between April 24th, 2015, and February 6th, 2024. Individuals meeting these criteria have until April 10th to provide their payment information. The estimated payout is expected to be between $20 and $50 per covered watch. Accepting the payout means relinquishing any future legal action related to battery issues on these particular watches. Those who do not wish to participate in the settlement have until February 24th, 2025, to opt-out or voice their objections.

In conclusion, Apple’s settlement of $20 million in the battery swelling lawsuit for Series 0, 1, 2, and 3 Apple Watch models provides an opportunity for affected individuals to claim a payout if they reported the issue between specific dates. The denial of any wrongdoing by Apple, as mentioned on the claim website and in the settlement agreement, emphasizes the company’s decision to settle to avoid prolonged legal battles. Individuals who qualify for a payout and wish to receive compensation for battery swelling issues on their older Apple Watches should ensure they provide their payment information by the specified deadline.