Apple has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit related to battery swelling issues on the first four Apple Watch models, which were filed in 2019. The lawsuit alleges that the issue caused damage or breakage of other components due to excessive heat and gas buildup inside the lithium-ion battery.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Apple agreed to pay $20 million to avoid future legal fees. The settlement applies to original Apple Watch, Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 models, which are no longer available for purchase. Eligible users who experience battery swelling issues between April 24, 2015 and February 6, 2024 can claim compensation, ranging from $20 to $50 per complaint.
Watch owners must submit payment information by April 10, 2025, to receive the settlement. This payment comes after Google-owned Fitbit was required to pay a $12.25 million penalty for similar issues with its Ionic smartwatch.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/31/apple-will-pay-20m-to-settle-watch-battery-swelling-suit-denies-wrongdoing