Apple’s Direct Payment to These Customers for $20M Class Action Settlement Confirmed – See If You Are Eligible for Payment

Talk a walk outside and every second wrist you see will probably have an Apple watch strapped to it. It seems that tech keeps getting smaller and smaller. First we had the desktop computer which got compressed into the laptop. The laptop and camera was then compressed into the smartphone, and now finally we have the smartwatch. But is squashing that much tech into such a small device to the benefit of the consumer? The answer is, perhaps, no as Apple faces a $20 million lawsuit regarding their smartwatch range.

Watch out for your Apple watch

Popular tech company Apple will soon be paying out a $20 million settlement to resolve claims of defective goods. The company is facing a class action lawsuit regarding certain models of their Apple Watch range. The suit claims that the company has sold its clients defecting watches with batteries that are prone to swelling.

If you are an Apple customer who owns or has owned a first-generation, Series 1, Series 2 or Series 3 Apple Watch, you will be able to benefit from this settlement. As per Apple’s records, these watches are reported as having battery-swelling issues between April 24, 2015, and Feb. 6, 2024.

It appears that Apple manufactures certain Apple Watch models without enough internal space to compensate for normal battery swelling. The battery swelling allegedly damages the watch’s screen and other components, resulting in costly repairs — according to the class action lawsuit. Not to mention the potential for burns if the swelling of the battery causes a short circuit and the device overheats whilst still strapped firmly against your wrist.

The irony of the matter is that Apple is a technology company that sells products like iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and Apple Watches. All of these products are quite similar in nature, meaning the company is specialized in this type of production. Yet, somehow, the necessary measures to accommodate for the battery in the watch was not taken. One is bound to ask if this is a simple case of a big corporation cutting corners to further the bottom line while the consumer bears the brunt.

Company perspective and eligibility

As expected, the company is not admitting to any wrongdoing and continues to maintain their innocence on the matter. Apple has, however, agreed to the $20 million settlement to put an end to the Apple Watch class action lawsuit.

The terms of the class action state that members can receive a cash payment for each covered device they own or have owned previously.

Class members can receive $20 for each covered device or, if necessary, a pro rata portion of the net settlement fund, which is expected to be less than $20. If the net settlement fund exceeds $50,000, then each class member could receive larger payments of up to $50 for each covered device.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is February 24, 2025.

April 10, 2025 has been scheduled for the final approval hearing.

No claim form is required to benefit from the Apple Watch battery settlement. However, class members should confirm their payment information on the settlement website to ensure they receive a payment. Class members who do not exclude themselves will automatically receive settlement benefits.

Lawsuit details

Top Class Actions has outline the case details as follows: