Apple Sued Over iOS Devices Offering 'Less Storage Capacity Than Advertised'

Apple is said to have been hit by a class action lawsuit that alleges the company to be misrepresenting the inbuilt storage of iPhone base models (and other iOS devices) following an update to iOS 8.

Silicon Beat reports the lawsuit alleges that Apple "doesn't inform users just how much storage its new operating system will eat up." The complainant also alleged Apple pushed users to buy more cloud storage via its own iCloud service.

(Also see: How to Upgrade to iOS 8 When It Cannot Be Installed Because It Requires GBs of Storage)

According to the report, the case was filed earlier this week in the Bay Area's federal court and states that iOS 8 takes up to 23.1 percent of the advertised storage capacity on Apple devices.

The report quotes William Anderson, a lawyer at Cuneo Gilbert & Laduca, a Washington, D.C.-based law firm, "We feel that there are a substantial number of Apple consumers that have been short-changed, and we'll be pursuing the claims vigorously." It adds that an Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on the matter.

The complaint notes, "Depending on the device they purchase, consumers who install iOS 8 allegedly receive substantially less storage than advertised, ranging from 18.1 percent for the iPhone 5s to 23.1 percent for the iPod.

(Also see: Apple Accounted for More Than Half the Devices Activated on Christmas: Report)

"Using these sharp business tactics, defendant gives less storage capacity than advertised, only to offer to sell that capacity in a desperate moment, e.g., when a consumer is trying to record or take photos at a child or grandchild's recital, basketball game or wedding," plaintiffs said in the complaint.

9to5mac notes that Apple does show disclaimers that the actual formatted storage space available on its devices might be less than advertised; though the case alleges "most consumers are unaware."

Android handset OEMs have been accused of similar misrepresentation in the past, and along with their customisations and bloatware over and above the pre-installed OS, take a major portion of the phone's built-in storage. Samsung back in 2013 had to even defend itself as the Galaxy S4 16GB model only offered 8.82GB of inbuilt storage space.

However, Apple ever since the release of iOS 8 has been facing similar outrage from users for shrinking a lot of internal storage. A report from September also suggested that the dated iPhone 4S had more issues with the update for the device than the significant improvements users upgraded for.