PSA: Claim Your Piece of the iPhone 7 Lawsuit Settlement by June 3

If you’re an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus owner who had one or more devices that suffered from audio issues, time is running out to claim a piece of Apple’s $35 million class action lawsuit settlement. Apple agreed to the payment last year to settle a longstanding lawsuit and affected iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus owners now have until June 3 to file their claims.

You may recall that Apple was sued several times in the United States over “Loop Disease” audio issues affecting the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Plaintiffs alleged that Apple’s “audio IC” chip caused audio issues affecting audio quality, FaceTime performance, and more. 

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In an internal document, Apple acknowledged that an issue with the microphone had been affecting some iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models:

Some customers might report that after they’ve updated to iOS 11.3, the microphone on their iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus doesn’t work and the speaker button is grayed out when they make or receive a call.

Symptoms:
– The speaker button is grayed out during calls
– Other people are unable to hear the customer on cellular or FaceTime calls
– If a customer plays back a video or voice memo that they’ve made after installing iOS 11.3, there is no sound

Despite that internal acknowledgment, Apple never publicly posted a service program about the issue on its website.

Apple asserted multiple defenses to the claims in the case, denying the plaintiffs’ allegations while saying it did nothing wrong. However, the Cupertino company did agree to settle the case for $35 million in 2023. While Apple began contacting customers eligible for the compensation earlier this year, the June 3 deadline is growing nearer.

As reported by The Verge, there are two groups of eligible users. Users who experienced audio issues with their iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus and who paid out of pocket for a repair will receive a payout of “at least $50 and no more than $349,” depending on the number of people who file a claim.

A second group consists of iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus owners who contacted Apple about repairs but did not pay for them. The folks in that group will receive as much as $125.

Individual persons who are United States residents and who own or owned an Apple iPhone 7 or 7 Plus between September 16, 2016 and January 3, 2023, and reported to Apple in the United States issues reflected in Apple’s records as Sound-Speaker, Sound-Microphone, Sound – Receiver, Unexpected Restart / Shutdown, or Power On – Device Unresponsive (“Covered Issues”), including but not limited to those who paid Apple out of pocket for repairs or replacements for Covered Issues as reflected in Apple’s records.

iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus users who believe they are eligible for a payment from Apple as part of this settlement should visit the settlement website. If you’re unsure if you’re included in the settlement class, check the FAQ for more details or call the toll-free number, 1-833-633-0343.

A final hearing to approve the settlement will be held on July 18, after which distribution of payments will begin. Of course, the lawyers will receive the largest chunk of the settlement.