Apple is facing a class-action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing the tech giant of false advertising over the persistent crackling issues found in its first-generation AirPods Pro. The lawsuit, titled LaBella et al v. Apple, was filed on November 1 and spans 51 pages, detailing how Apple's marketing claims of high-quality audio were allegedly contradicted by real-world user experiences.
Key Allegations
According to the lawsuit, numerous customers reported audio issues within months of purchasing the first-generation AirPods Pro. These issues included crackling sounds, static, and faults with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), especially in noisy environments, during phone calls, or while exercising. These complaints reportedly began soon after the AirPods Pro were released in October 2019.
In response to consumer complaints, Apple launched a service program in 2020 to address the crackling defect for units manufactured before that October. However, the lawsuit claims that the defect extended beyond these early batches and was common across all first-gen models. Apple allegedly knew this but only extended the repair program for three years after the initial sale date.
Consumer Impact
The plaintiffs argue that if buyers had been aware of these issues, they would have either avoided purchasing the AirPods Pro or paid less for them. The lawsuit states:
"The AirPods Pro Gen 1 were thus not worth the premium price that consumers paid for them, as they contained an Audio Defect and did not live up to Apple's advertising."
Alleged Legal Violations
The class-action lawsuit accuses Apple of violating multiple state laws, including:
- California: Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, Consumer Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law
- Ohio, Texas, and Pennsylvania: Breach of warranty and consumer protection laws
The plaintiffs also allege that Apple failed to adequately notify customers about the service program covering the affected units. The lawsuit claims that Apple breached its warranties by not properly addressing the defect and demands relief for impacted users.
What the Plaintiffs Seek
The lawsuit seeks the following remedies:
- Damages for affected customers and class members
- Repair or replacement of the defective AirPods Pro units
- Pre- and post-judgment interest
- Attorneys' fees
Apple’s Position
Apple has previously acknowledged the audio defect through its service program but has not publicly responded to the new lawsuit. However, it is likely that the company will vigorously defend against these claims, as it has done in past legal disputes involving its products.
The outcome of this class-action lawsuit could have significant financial implications for Apple, especially if the court rules in favor of the plaintiffs. This case highlights ongoing concerns around quality control and the responsibility of tech companies to uphold their product claims.
