Apple Class Action Lawsuit Seeks $999B for Slowed iPhones

Apple Inc. is facing multiple class action lawsuits accusing the tech giant of intentionally slowing down the operating system of older iPhone models.

One of the latest iPhone class action lawsuits is reportedly seeking damages in the amount of a whopping $999 billion, according to Patently Apple.

Plaintiff Violetta Mailyan of Los Angeles alleges Apple intentionally slowed down older models of its popular iPhones right around the time a newer iPhone version was introduced in the market. She claims that this slowdown was accomplished by downloading an iPhone operating system (iOS) update, or otherwise “for unknown or undisclosed technical reasons.”

On Dec. 20, 2017, Apple admitted that it intentionally slowed the operating speeds of older iPhone models, the Apple class action lawsuit says. Apple claims this intentional slowdown was performed with the intention of preserving the iPhone battery life and preventing the iPhone from shutting down unexpectedly.

This power management feature results in the iPhone’s slower operating speed, according to Apple. The problem can reportedly be resolved by purchasing an authorized battery replacement, which costs about $79.

According to the iPhone class action lawsuit, Apple never disclosed to consumers that their older iPhones would become slower over time and that the problem could be remedied either by avoiding an iOS update or by replacing the battery.

“As a result of the slowdown of the performance of their older iPhone models, Plaintiff and Class bought newer iPhone models in order to have a properly functioning smartphone,” the Apple class action lawsuit says.

“Plaintiff and Class lost value of older iPhone models because of the slowdown of performance,” the iPhone class action lawsuit continues. “Plaintiff and Class expended money to purchase newer iPhone models in order to avoid the slowdown of their older iPhone models.”

Mailyan asserts that, had she known that the iPhone slowdown could be avoided by replacing the battery or by refusing to download the latest iOS update, she would not have purchased a new iPhone.

By filing the Apple iPhone class action lawsuit, Mailyan seeks to represent herself and a proposed Class defined as: “All persons residing in the United States who have owned iPhone models older than iPhone 8 and who have purchased a newer iPhone model as a result of slowdown caused by Defendant through an iOS update or otherwise.”

The Apple iPhone class action lawsuit asserts claims for fraud through concealment and unfair competition. Mailyan is seeking monetary damages, punitive damages, equitable relief, attorneys’ fees and costs, and other relief as allowable by law. She has demanded a jury trial.

Shortly after its Dec. 20 acknowledgement that it had been intentionally slowing down the operating system of older iPhone models, Apple was hit with several iPhone class action lawsuits—and the number of Apple lawsuits seems to be growing by the day.

Mailyan is represented by Armen Kiramijyan and Hovsep Hovsepyan of Kaass Law.

The Apple iPhone Slowdown Class Action Lawsuit is Violetta Mailyan v. Apple Inc., Case No. 2:17-cv-09192, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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If you owned an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus that performed slower after an iOS update or would unexpectedly shut down for seemingly no reason, you may qualify to file or join an iPhone class action lawsuit.

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