UK Apple and Samsung phone users could win a share of £480 million class action payout

UK Apple and Samsung users could get part of a £480 million payout

Nearly 30 million Samsung and Apple smartphone users in the UK could be entitled to part of a £480 million payout. Users who purchased specific devices between 2015 and 2024 may be entitled to compensation due to Qualcomm’s alleged breach of the UK’s competition laws. A similar lawsuit is currently underway in Canada, and the firm has previously paid an EU fine for antitrust violations.

Which? the consumer campaign group, has taken Qualcomm to the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London. Court proceedings start today, October 6th, and are expected to last five weeks. It is claimed that Qualcomm forced Samsung and Apple to pay inflated licensing fees for essential components. These fees increased the prices of smartphones, impacting consumers.

Which? estimates damages to be worth £480 million. Owners of affected devices could be entitled to an estimated £17 per handset. Since the lawsuit covers devices available between 2015 and 2024, some consumers may be entitled to payouts for multiple devices.

Which’s current legal battle will focus on Qualcomm’s industry power and whether it abused its dominant position. If successful, a future trial will investigate Qualcomm’s conduct and assess any resulting damages.

Which? alleges that Qualcomm’s conduct, in charging inflated fees to Apple and Samsung, caused these fees to be passed on to customers. This resulted in higher prices, or lower quality smartphones.

Qualcomm has previously stated that this case has “no basis”, but has not released any recent comments on the lawsuit. Which? filed their initial claim in 2021, with their first trial starting this week. It could be years before this court case is resolved.

You can join the discussion on Which’s legal battle against Qualcomm on the OC3D Forums.