Apple iPhone 7 users can claim 'hefty' US dollars

Apple iPhone 7 users can claim their rightful money now.

The clock is ticking on a portion of a $35 million proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit brought five years ago against Apple, according to Entrepreneur.

The complaint claimed that the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus had a defective audio chip that caused audio problems and limited calling and voice functionality. It was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California in 2019 and was named Tabak, et al. v. Apple Inc. The first Apple phone to come without an audio jack was the iPhone 7.

In May 2023, Apple agreed to a $35 million class action settlement to address the charges, which it had previously disputed.

Those who owned an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus between September 16, 2016, and January 3, 2023 and had audio problems may now be eligible for a portion of the proposed settlement of up to $349.

Only citizens of the United States who reported audio problems—such as malfunctions with the phone's speaker, microphone, and receiver—to Apple within the allotted time limit are eligible for the settlement.

Additionally eligible is anyone who paid Apple out of pocket for any repairs or replacements associated with those problems.

For individuals who paid Apple for repairs or replacements, the payment will be at least $50 and up to $349; for those who reported the phone's audio problems to Apple, the payment will be up to $125.