Apple customers can now submit requests for compensation of $ 500 million as part of a settlement agreement concluded earlier this year, dropping the curtain on a years-long legal battle in which the company has attempted to mitigate the global response sparked by its recognition of using system updates to slow devices older than iPhone.
The settlement announced last March applies to customers who purchased iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE before December 21, 2017 and experienced performance issues.
Owners of phones will receive $ 25 for each phone covered by the settlement that the company agreed to, meaning that the person who owns covered phones can obtain multiple settlements.
Affected users must submit a claim online or by mail by October 6 to be eligible for compensation.
The company admitted in December 2017 that it had used software updates to slow older iPhones, and some indicated that Apple had done so to force users to upgrade to newer phones, but the company said it aims to address problems with older lithium batteries.
Apple later apologized and offered to replace the battery for its customers for $ 79, which later reduced it to $ 29. A year later, CEO Tim Cook admitted that the company's revenue was partly affected by a "significant drop in iPhone battery replacement prices".
The settlement is still subject to final approval, and a hearing is scheduled for December in a US district court in California.
"The payments will be made if the court agrees to the settlement and after resolving any appeal," said a notice on the claims website.