TL;DR
- Apple has agreed to pay $20 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over battery swelling in Apple Watch Series 0, 1, 2, and 3 but denies any wrongdoing.
- U.S. users who reported battery swelling issues to Apple between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024.
- Payments range from $20 to $50 per affected watch. Eligible users must submit payment info by April 10, 2025.
- Apple insists the watches were safe and reliable, settling only to avoid prolonged litigation.
Apple has agreed to a $20 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit concerning battery swelling issues in early Apple Watch models.
If you owned an Apple Watch Series 0, 1, 2, or 3 and reported battery swelling to Apple between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024, you might be eligible for compensation.
The lawsuit, Smith et al. v. Apple Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. It alleged that battery swelling in these Apple Watch models caused operational failures and, in some cases, injuries from broken screens.
Apple denies these allegations and any wrongdoing, stating that it chose to settle to avoid further litigation costs.
Eligibility and Compensation Details
To qualify for a payout, you must have:
- Owned an eligible Apple Watch model.
- Reported potential battery swelling issues to Apple within the specified dates.
Eligible individuals have until April 10, 2025, to confirm or update their payment information to receive compensation. Payments are estimated to be between $20 to $50 per affected watch.
Accepting this payment means you waive any future claims regarding battery issues on these specific watches. If you prefer to exclude yourself from the settlement, you have until February 24, 2025, to do so.
Understanding Battery Swelling
Battery swelling occurs when a buildup of heat and gas inside a lithium-ion battery causes it to expand. This expansion can damage internal components or, in the case of tightly packed devices like the Apple Watch, push the screen off.
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While lithium-ion batteries can swell as they age, the lawsuit claimed that this issue was a defect in the early Apple Watch models.
In response to the settlement, Apple stated:
“Apple Watch is designed to be safe and reliable. This settlement applies to purchasers of Original Apple Watch, Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3, which are no longer available for purchase. While we strongly disagree with the claims made against these early generation Apple Watch models, we agreed to settle to avoid further litigation.”
Next Steps for Affected Users
If you believe you’re eligible for compensation:
- Visit the official settlement website: https://watchsettlement.com/
- Confirm or update your payment information by April 10, 2025.
By participating in the settlement, you accept the terms and waive any future claims related to battery issues in these Apple Watch models.
This settlement addresses the battery swelling concerns in early Apple Watch models. If you were affected, ensure you follow the necessary steps to receive your compensation.
