Apple will pay $3 million to settle Argentine lawsuit

Apple will distribute $3 million to compensate Argentine users following a class-action lawsuit over the deliberate slowdown of older iPhone models. The legal action was originally filed on February 4, 2020, by the consumer association Acción del Consumidor (Adelco). The case was processed before the National Commercial Court No. 21, presided over by Judge Germán Paez Castañeda, according to lawyer Sergio Mohadeb.

The settlement follows a similar case in the United States, where Apple agreed in 2020 to pay $500 million to affected users over the issue known as BatteryGate. Apple admitted at the time that it reduced processor performance as batteries degraded to maintain device stability, while claimants argued the practice pushed consumers to buy newer models.

In Argentina, eligible claimants include residents who owned an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, first-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 7, or iPhone 7 Plus as of February 4, 2020. Eligible users can claim up to $40 per device via the website acuerdosmartphones.com.ar by providing the device serial number or IMEI. Any remaining funds will be donated to the Garrahan Hospital, and payments ordered by the court may take up to three months to process.