Apple Files Motion to Dismiss Class-Action Lawsuit Over Apple Intelligence Delays

Apple has filed a motion to dismiss a class-action lawsuit over delayed Apple Intelligence features, arguing that the plaintiffs have failed to state a valid claim. In a 35-page document filed on September 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the company contends that its iPhone 16 models are not defective and that it has already delivered the majority of its promised AI capabilities.

The lawsuit, first filed in March, alleges that Apple engaged in false advertising by promoting a full suite of AI features that were not available at launch. The complaint centers on two advanced Siri capabilities, Siri Personal Context Awareness and Siri In-App Actions, which Apple officially delayed earlier this year, with a rollout now expected in 2026.

In its motion, Apple asserts that from the beginning, it communicated that its new AI suite was a transformative set of features that "would be delivered over time and continue to evolve." The company states it has already delivered more than 20 Apple Intelligence features, including Writing Tools, Genmoji, and Image Playground, in addition to significant hardware upgrades in the iPhone 16. The filing argues that the plaintiffs' claims are based solely on the timing of the two remaining Siri features, which will be provided at no additional cost in a future software update.


A central pillar of Apple's defense is that plaintiffs have failed to prove they relied on any specific misleading statements before making their purchase. The filing states that most plaintiffs "claim only to have relied on generic 'advertisements' or 'representations,'" and that those who do point to specific marketing materials "do not allege that they saw and relied upon the advertisements before they purchased an iPhone 16." Apple contends these vague allegations are insufficient to clear the "heightened pleading bar" required for fraud claims.

The company also challenges the breach of warranty claims, arguing that plaintiffs do not allege any "defects in materials or workmanship." Regarding the "built for Apple Intelligence" marketing phrase, Apple's lawyers wrote that the claim cannot be plausibly alleged as a misrepresentation "because Apple has in fact delivered a suite of Apple Intelligence features." The filing further argues that the absence of two Siri features does not render the iPhones unfit for their "multitude of uses, including for communication, internet access, photography, media, creativity, and app-based functionality."

A hearing on the motion to dismiss has been scheduled for January 7, 2026. Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for updates.

[via MacRumors]