Apple’s legal battle over the so-called ‘Batterygate’ scandal continues as the UK Court of Appeal rejects the company’s attempt to dismiss a € 987 million lawsuit. The case, brought by consumer rights activist Justin Gutmann, claims Apple intentionally slowed down older Apple iPhones without properly informing users. The lawsuit alleges that around 24 million UK users experienced performance throttling on specific Apple iPhone models, including the Apple iPhone 6, Apple iPhone 6 Plus, Apple iPhone 6s, Apple iPhone 6s Plus, Apple iPhone SE, Apple iPhone 7, and Apple iPhone 7 Plus. According to Gutmann, Apple’s failure to disclose the throttling forced users to upgrade their devices or pay for battery replacements.
Apple’s justification for throttling
Apple has previously stated that the performance reduction was intended to prolong battery life and prevent unexpected shutdowns due to battery degradation. In 2017, the company issued an apology and temporarily reduced the cost of battery replacements in the UK and the US.
Trial date yet to be set
No trial date has been announced yet. Eligible UK residents are automatically included in the lawsuit but can opt out by 7 June 2025. Non-UK residents who owned affected devices have the same deadline to opt in.
Similar lawsuits worldwide
This lawsuit follows a 2020 settlement in the US, where Apple agreed to pay € 460 million over similar claims. Payments to affected US customers only began in 2024, showing the lengthy nature of such legal battles.
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