Updated
Updated · Claim Depot · Aug 19
Apple Faces Class Action Over 5 Watch Models Dropped From Major Updates
Updated
Updated · Claim Depot · Aug 19

Apple Faces Class Action Over 5 Watch Models Dropped From Major Updates

1 articles · Updated · Claim Depot · Aug 19

Summary

  • Richard Goetz sued Apple on Aug. 12 in federal court in California, seeking class-action status over the cutoff of major watchOS updates for five Apple Watch models that still function.
  • watchOS 27, announced in June 2026, leaves Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, SE (2nd generation) and the original Ultra permanently on watchOS 26, including an SE model Apple allegedly sold at full price in fall 2025.
  • The complaint says Apple never disclosed support lifespans, calls the practice “software tethering,” and argues unsupported watches will accumulate bugs, slow down and in some cases stop working properly.
  • Goetz, who says he paid about $799 plus AppleCare+ for an Ultra in December 2022, alleges breach of contract and unfair competition and seeks damages, restitution, injunctive relief and a jury trial.
  • The proposed class covers California buyers of the five models; Apple has not yet responded in court, no class has been certified, and no settlement or claims process exists.

Insights

Will your perfectly functional Apple Watch become obsolete just because Apple refuses to disclose its software lifespan?
Are companies using demanding new AI features to artificially shorten the lifespan of expensive premium smartwatches?
Could this new lawsuit force tech giants to print exact software expiration dates on their device packaging?