Apple to Pay 10 Million Shekels in Israel Over iPhone Slowdown Settlement

Nine years after the iPhone slowdown controversy, Apple will pay 10 million shekels as part of a class-action settlement approved in Israel. The maximum compensation per eligible device is 1,890 shekels. A dedicated website has been launched where Israeli customers can check their eligibility and submit an online claim form for personal compensation.

The Tel Aviv District Court approved the settlement in April, resolving five class-action lawsuits filed against Apple in Israel during 2017 and 2018. Apple denied all allegations throughout the proceedings, and the settlement does not include any admission of liability or wrongdoing.

Eligible claimants are those who owned in Israel an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, or first-generation SE with iOS 10.2.1 or later installed before December 21, 2017. Owners of iPhone 7 or 7 Plus with iOS 11.2 or later installed before that date may also qualify. Eligibility requires that Israel was selected as the country during Apple system registration, regardless of where the device was purchased.

The case began in 2017 after Apple was accused of deliberately slowing down certain iPhone models through software updates to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by aging batteries. Plaintiffs claimed Apple concealed that battery replacement could improve device performance and that the slowdown pushed some customers to upgrade to newer models. Apple denied intentionally shortening product lifespans or harming user experience.

Judge Hadas Ovadia approved the settlement, calling it a fair and balanced resolution. Apple will pay the total compensation, while attorneys representing the claimants will receive about 2.4 million shekels in fees, and the claimants themselves will receive 400,000 shekels collectively.