Sri Lanka
USA
Canada
India
UK
UAE
Millions of UK smartphone users may be eligible for a £480 million payout as consumer group Which? takes Qualcomm to court over alleged anti-competitive practices.
The case, which began on Monday at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London, accuses the US chip giant of inflating prices for essential components used in Apple and Samsung smartphones between 2015 and 2024.
According to Which?, Qualcomm’s pricing strategy allegedly forced Apple and Samsung to pay higher fees, resulting in inflated retail prices for consumers. If successful, around 29 million people could receive compensation — estimated at about £17 per phone.
“This is a huge moment for UK consumers,” said Anabel Hoult, Chief Executive of Which?. “It shows how the power of consumers—backed by Which?—can hold even the biggest tech companies accountable.”
The ongoing five-week trial will focus on whether Qualcomm abused its market dominance in the smartphone chip sector. If the tribunal rules in Which?’s favour, the second phase will determine how the £480m compensation will be distributed—a process that could take several years.
Senior Which? lawyer Lisa Webb noted that consumers don’t need to take any action to claim their share. “If we win, we will get you your money,” she told the BBC.
Qualcomm has dismissed the case as baseless and has faced similar legal battles elsewhere, including an ongoing lawsuit in Canada and a previous EU antitrust fine. The US Federal Trade Commission also sued Qualcomm in 2017, though that case was dismissed in 2020.
The consumer claim covers Apple and Samsung smartphones purchased between 1 October 2015 and 9 January 2024
