Are you one of 30 million people who could be owed money for paying too much for your 4G Apple or Samsung smartphone?
Global chip manufacturer, Qualcomm, is accused of overcharging for its smartphone technology and owing users £48o million.
Global chip manufacturer Qualcomm is accused of charging smartphone manufacturers too much for the use of its 4G technology. This could mean Qualcomm owes 30 million UK smartphone owners almost £480 million. Sign up to stay updated if you’ve bought a new 4G Apple or Samsung smartphone since October 2015.
Qualcomm in smartphone overcharging claim
Qualcomm holds the patents to widely-used technology that is essential to enabling smartphones to connect to 4G networks. The company is accused of charging smartphone manufacturers – like Apple and Samsung – inflated fees to use this technology.
It is said this has increased the costs for smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung leading to millions of smartphone owners paying higher prices for their phones. Are you one of them?
You could be owed up to £30 in compensation
You could be owed money if you:
- Lived in the UK on 17 May 2022, or if you were living outside the UK on 17 May 2022 and you registered to participate in the claim by 15 November 2022, and
- Bought a new 4G Samsung or Apple phone on or after 1 October 2015
The amount you could be eligible to claim will vary depending on a number of factors, including the model of smartphone you bought.
The claim against Qualcomm
Which?, the UK’s consumer champion, is taking legal action against Qualcomm. Which? believes Qualcomm has broken competition laws by abusing its dominant market position and overcharging smartphone manufacturers for essential 4G technology.
Which? has instructed the law firm Hausfeld & Co LLP to represent it in this consumer collective claim to seek compensation for nearly 30 million affected UK consumers. Which? is working with litigation funder Augusta Ventures to enable it to pay for this claim.
How to claim compensation
You don’t have to do anything at the moment. Simply sign up to Consumer Voice and we’ll update you as the claim progresses and tell you when to claim.
We will keep you updated on the latest developments in the Qualcomm claim and other group consumer claims.
What’s happening with this claim?
The Competition Appeal Tribunal certified the application for this claim on 4 July 2022. This means that his claim can proceed to full trial with Which? representing affected smartphone owners. A case management conference (CMC) was held on 13 January 2023.
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