Apple has reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed over the swelling batteries in early models of the Apple Watch. The lawsuit, which began in 2019, accused the first four generations of Apple Watches of having batteries prone to expanding. As part of the agreement, Apple will pay $20 million to resolve the matter. However, the company continues to maintain that it did not act improperly.
The settlement outlines how affected Apple Watch owners can claim compensation, but Apple was quick to clarify that it does not admit to any wrongdoing. A clause within the agreement states, “This Agreement shall not be construed in any fashion as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by Apple,” emphasizing the company’s stance that it bears no fault in the matter.
In a statement provided to TechCrunch, Apple elaborated on its decision to settle, stating, “While we strongly disagree with the claims made against these early generation Apple Watch models, we agreed to settle to avoid further litigation.” Apple further pointed out that the four models involved in the lawsuit are no longer available for purchase.
This legal battle over defective batteries is not an isolated case. Other devices, such as MacBook Pros and more recently, Samsung smartphones, have also faced similar battery swelling issues, highlighting a widespread challenge for tech manufacturers and their customers alike.
Apple’s move to settle reflects a desire to avoid continued litigation, despite its ongoing denial of any wrongdoing.