Millions of UK smartphone owners could be entitled to compensation following the launch of a class action against Qualcomm, the US tech firm that supplies key components used in Apple and Samsung phones.
Consumer group Which? has brought the claim on behalf of an estimated 29 million phone users, alleging that Qualcomm breached UK competition law by abusing its dominance in the patent-licensing and chipset markets.
What’s the case about?
Which? argues that Qualcomm charged Apple and Samsung inflated fees for technology licences and chipsets, pushing up the cost of smartphones for consumers between 1 October 2015 and 9 January 2024.
The claim says these higher costs were passed directly to customers — either through increased prices or reduced quality in devices — meaning almost anyone who bought an Apple or Samsung phone in that period could have overpaid.
The case, which is estimated to be worth around £480 million, is being heard at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London, with a five-week trial now under way.
Qualcomm has denied the allegations, saying the case has “no basis”.
Who could be affected?
If you bought, leased or were gifted a new Apple or Samsung smartphone between 2015 and early 2024, you could fall within the affected class.
That includes popular models such as:
- iPhone 6s through to iPhone 15
- Samsung Galaxy S6 through to Galaxy S24
At this stage, consumers don’t need to take any action to be part of the class. However, if the trial is successful, eligible users may later need to confirm their details to claim compensation.
What happens next?
If Which? wins this first trial, there will be a second stage to determine how much harm consumers suffered and how any compensation would be calculated.
While it may take time for outcomes to be finalised, this case could set an important precedent for consumer rights in tech pricing, and signal that even the biggest companies aren’t beyond accountability.
Stay informed
We’re monitoring the Qualcomm class action closely and we’ll share updates so affected users can see what’s happening with this claim.
Join the Claim connects consumers with trusted, SRA-regulated law firms. For this claim, we’re not directly involved, but we’ll keep you informed. Where possible, we’ll share links to official claim websites or updates as they become available.
