An Apple Byte : Apple Pays After Throttling iPhones Settlement

Have you ever felt like your iPhone was getting slower the older it got? You’re not imagining it – Apple actually admitted to throttling older iPhones to slow them down. And now, after years of legal battles, affected iPhone users are finally getting some compensation.
Let’s go back a few years. In 2017, iPhone users started noticing that their devices weren’t running as fast as they used to. It wasn’t just normal wear and tear – these phones were deliberately being slowed down. Apple claimed it was doing this to protect aging batteries from unexpected shutdowns, but that explanation didn’t sit well with millions of customers. After all, most people assumed their phones were just wearing out naturally and ended up buying a new iPhone sooner than they might have needed to.
The Lawsuit and Settlement
As you can imagine, people weren’t happy when they found out Apple had secretly been reducing the performance of their older iPhones. The backlash was massive, leading to multiple lawsuits. Eventually, in 2020, Apple agreed to settle a major class-action lawsuit in the United States, with a payout of £394 million ($500 million).
Now, three years later, affected iPhone owners in the US are finally seeing some compensation. 5.5 million people who filed claims are each receiving £72 ($90) as part of the settlement. It’s not a fortune, but it’s a fair bit of money considering most people didn’t even realise they were entitled to anything!
Who Was Eligible for Compensation?
This payout was only for US-based customers who owned the following iPhones and experienced performance slowdowns:
iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus
iPhone SE (1st generation)
iPhone 7, 7 Plus
The slowdown happened after Apple released iOS updates that quietly introduced performance limitations on older batteries. The problem was, Apple didn’t tell anyone they were doing this at the time, and it led many users to believe their phones were just becoming obsolete.
Apple’s UK Legal Battle
Now, here’s where things get interesting – Apple’s legal troubles aren’t over yet. While this settlement covers US customers, a separate legal case is still ongoing in the UK, and it’s a big one.
Market researcher Justin Gutmann is leading a class-action lawsuit on behalf of 24 million British iPhone users. This lawsuit claims that Apple misled UK customers by not informing them about the performance throttling. If Apple loses this case, it could be forced to pay out a whopping £853 million ($1.03 billion) in compensation.
That’s over double what they paid in the US, so you can bet Apple will be fighting this one hard.
What Did Apple Do to Fix the Problem?
After the backlash, Apple made some changes:
Battery Health Feature – In later iOS updates, Apple added a Battery Health section in settings, which lets users see how well their battery is performing and whether it needs replacing.
Cheaper Battery Replacements – To calm the situation, Apple introduced a battery replacement programme, letting iPhone users replace their batteries at a reduced price for a while.
More Transparency – Apple now informs users if an update will impact performance, so people know what’s happening with their devices.
What Can You Do If Your iPhone Is Slowing Down?
If your iPhone is feeling sluggish, it might be worth checking your Battery Health in the settings. If it’s below 80%, that’s a sign your battery might need replacing. Apple and other repair shops can swap it out for a new one, and it’s often a much cheaper solution than upgrading to a brand-new iPhone.
Another option is to update your software. Apple has improved how iPhones manage battery life in recent updates, and sometimes a software update can help with performance issues.
Final Thoughts
Apple’s decision to slow down older iPhones may have been intended to prevent unexpected shutdowns, but the way they handled it landed them in hot water. Customers felt misled, and lawsuits followed.
While US customers are now getting a bit of money back, UK iPhone users might still have a chance to receive compensation if the legal battle here goes in their favour. We’ll have to wait and see what happens with the £853 million lawsuit.
In the meantime, if your iPhone is feeling slow, check your battery health before assuming it’s time for an upgrade. Sometimes, a simple battery replacement can breathe new life into your device – and save you a good chunk of money!