If you purchased an Apple or Samsung smartphone in the UK between October 2015 and January 2024, you could be eligible for a payout. Consumer group Which? is suing the chipmaker Qualcomm for £480 million, alleging it used its dominant market position to impose unfair licensing fees and inflated component prices. These costs, Which? claims, were then passed on to consumers.
An estimated 29 million people could receive approximately £17 per handset if the case succeeds. The trial at the Competition Appeal Tribunal, starting soon, will determine if Qualcomm abused its power. A second stage would then be needed to secure and distribute the damages.Which? notes that consumers don’t need to take any action; the group will handle the claim. However, a final resolution could take years. Qualcomm denies the allegations, which mirror previous antitrust challenges it has faced in other regions. This case underscores efforts to hold major corporations accountable for anti-competitive behaviour.
