Apple agrees to pay $20 million to settle lawsuit over Apple Watch battery swelling.

Apple has decided to settle for $20 million in a class action lawsuit related to battery swelling issues in early models of the Apple Watch. Those who have experienced this inconvenience and own an Apple Watch Series 0, 1, 2, or 3 may be eligible to receive a small compensation.

The lawsuit, known as Smith et al. v. Apple Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. In the settlement agreement and on the claims website, Apple explicitly denies that its smartwatches have had battery swelling problems, stating that it "denies all allegations of misconduct" and liability. The company also states that it has chosen to reach this settlement to "avoid greater litigation costs."

In a statement issued, an Apple spokesperson, Aushawna Collins, expressed that the company "strongly disagrees with the claims made against these early models of the Apple Watch."

To receive a payment, owners of the eligible models must have reported any potential battery swelling issues to Apple between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024. Individuals who meet these criteria have until April 10 to confirm or update their payment information and opt to receive compensation. According to the FAQ section of the settlement, the payment is expected to range between $20 and $50 per covered watch. However, accepting the payment means waiving any future actions related to battery issues in these specific watches. Those who do not wish to participate in the settlement have until February 24, 2025, to opt out or submit objections.