Apple sued over delayed iPhone 16 AI features that were heavily advertised

Apple is facing a lawsuit over its delayed Apple Intelligence features for the iPhone 16, highlighting tensions between marketing promises and actual delivery timelines in the tech industry. The legal action centers on claims that Apple knowingly advertised AI capabilities it couldn’t deliver at launch, potentially misleading consumers into purchasing new devices based on features that weren’t yet available. This case underscores the growing scrutiny companies face when promoting AI advancements before they’re fully ready for market.

The big picture: Apple has been sued for allegedly falsely advertising Apple Intelligence features on the iPhone 16 lineup, with plaintiffs claiming the company knew it couldn’t deliver the advertised capabilities on schedule.

• The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the US District Court in San Jose, argues that Apple’s pre-release marketing set consumer expectations that AI features would be available upon the iPhone 16’s September release.
• Plaintiffs are seeking class-action status and monetary compensation for customers who purchased Apple Intelligence-equipped phones.

Key details: Apple recently admitted it needs more time to roll out certain Apple Intelligence features, confirming delays that will extend into “the coming year.”

• The delayed capabilities include a more personalized Siri that can take actions across apps and respond to queries based on a user’s on-device information.
• Following the admission, Apple added a disclaimer to its website last week and appointed a new team lead for Apple Intelligence.

What they’re saying: According to the lawsuit, Apple “deceived millions of consumers into purchasing new phones they did not need based on features that do not exist.”

• Plaintiffs also accuse Apple of gaining an “unfair advantage over competitors in the market who do not tout non-existent AI features, or who actually deliver them as promised.”

Behind the numbers: Some of the delayed Siri features were reportedly pushed significantly beyond original timelines, with rumors suggesting delays into 2026 or even 2027.

• Apple had promoted capabilities like asking Siri to “Play that podcast that Jamie recommended,” with the assistant able to locate and play the content without the user remembering whether it was mentioned in a text or email.