Apple to pay $14.4M to settle Canadian 'Batterygate' lawsuit

An iPhone battery

A court in British Columbia has given its approval for a settlement that will see Apple pay out up to $14.4 million, to end a class-action lawsuit over alleged iPhone throttling.

The class-action lawsuit alleged that Apple's software updates slowed down the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 models, allegations that Apple firmly denies. However, to deal with the lawsuit, Apple agreed to make payments to the class, totaling between $11.1 million and $14.4 million.

The defined class consists of Apple customers who bought an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, or iPhone SE running iOS 10.2.1 or later, or an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus running iOS 11.2 or later, before December 21, 2017. It applies to all residents in all provinces, except for Quebec, and that a serial number must be supplied.

For their trouble, consumers can expect a payment between $17.50 and $150 if accepted in the class. It is unclear how much of the fund will be paid to lawyers in the lawsuit.

CBC reports that similar lawsuits were filed in Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.

Class counsel Michael Peerless said the judge was fair and reasonable with their decision on the proposed settlement. While Apple says the settlement isn't an admission of fault, Peerless adds that that Apple "did the right thing and came forward."

The class-action suit result is the latest that Apple has to face regarding the so-called "batterygate" saga, which involved a slowdown of iPhone performance triggered in software updates, in order to protect the device over battery wear. Apple maintains the updates were to maintain stability and to benefit consumers, not to push them to pay for upgrades.

In January, Apple started making payments from its 2020 $500 million settlement to end a similar U.S. class action lawsuit, with class members being paid over $92 per claim.