Overview

• Settlement administrators began sending digital prepaid Mastercards to eligible U.S. Apple Watch owners under the Smith et al. v. Apple Inc. agreement.
• The $20 million fund settles a 2021 class-action alleging Series 1–3 watches experienced lithium-ion battery swelling that could lift or detach displays.
• Users who reported swelling issues to Apple were automatically enrolled and others had until April 10, 2025, to file claims through WatchSettlement.com.
• Individual payouts vary from $20 to $50 based on the number of approved claims, and early recipients have reported receiving roughly $20–$25.
• Apple maintains it denies any defect or wrongdoing despite agreeing to the settlement, which applies exclusively to U.S. claimants.