Google's settlement for the class action lawsuit filed against them has been approved with Pixel and Pixel XL owners potentially eligible for a significant payout.
The class action lawsuit, which claims Google knowingly released the first-generation Pixel units with defective microphones, has been settled with the company agreeing to shell out a total of $7.25 million for the settlement.
With the court approving the settlement, it's time for people to step forward and claim their money.
Eligibility, Claims
Residents of the United States who bought a Pixel or Pixel XL anytime before Jan. 4, 2017 and who were not able to receive a replacement made after Jan. 3, 2017 or refurbished after June 5, 2017 are all eligible for up to $20, whether or not they experienced issues with their phone's mic.
It is possible to get more if there's documentation or proof of the user's experience on the defective microphone. Those who can prove that they had the issues on one handset can receive $350, while users who experienced the mic or speaker flaw on multiple handsets can get up to $500. Refunds for insurance deductibles over a replacement are also provided.
Endgadget notes that it's important to file claims quickly, since the cash on the settlement fund could run low and the payouts could be released on a prorated basis.
The deadline for submitting claim forms or filing separate lawsuits is on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019. If Pixel or Pixel XL owners do not do anything past this date, they effectively give up their rights to do so permanently.
Claiming may be ongoing, but it's going to take a few more months until Pixel owners get their compensation. The hearing to approve the settlement is scheduled to take place on Dec. 6, 2019. Payments are expected to be released within three months after the hearing.
Google Pixel Class Action Lawsuit
The first time Google came forward with the issue was in March 2017 when the company admitted that less than 1 percent of the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones had an audio problem affecting its calls and voice assistant features. Later, a class action lawsuit was filed against Google for continuing to sell the mobile phones, despite knowing about the units' flaws.
In May 2019, the tech company agreed to provide the Pixel and Pixel XL owners a total settlement of $7.25 million.
