If you were among the first to adopt the Apple Watch, you may be entitled to receive cash compensation. Apple has reached a settlement regarding a class-action lawsuit that dates back five years. This legal action includes the original Apple Watch as well as the Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 models, as reported by CNET. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and alleged that the batteries in these early models could swell over time, potentially harming other critical components of the device.
Details for Affected Users
Eligible customers will receive compensation ranging from $20 to $50, depending on the total number of claims filed. To qualify, you must have owned one of the affected Apple Watch models and have contacted Apple customer service about the battery issue between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024.
The Apple Watch Series 3, which debuted in 2017, holds the record as the longest-running model in the Apple Watch lineup, continuing until its discontinuation in 2022. Affected customers can expect to receive either an email or letter from Apple. They must confirm their claims by April 10 via the WatchSettlement.com website.
By filing a claim and accepting the settlement, individuals relinquish their rights to pursue any additional legal action against Apple related to this battery issue. Apple has not disclosed the specific number of customers that are eligible for compensation. If every qualifying individual claimed the maximum amount of $50, it would infer that around 400,000 customers have reached out to Apple regarding this concern. However, this figure is likely an overestimate, given that legal fees are part of the overall $20 million settlement fund.
It is not unusual for companies like Apple to settle class-action lawsuits without admitting to any wrongdoing. Although Apple did not officially acknowledge the swelling battery problem in early Apple Watch models, it later revised the battery design starting with the Series 4. Since then, Apple has introduced six additional models of the Apple Watch, excluding two variants of the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Ultra. Currently, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the latest version available.
