Brits who bought Apple or Samsung phones between 2015 and 2024 could receive payment | Personal Finance | Finance

Those who purchased Apple or Samsung smartphones during a specific period may be owed money. That is if a class action suit against technology giant Qualcomm is successful. Most Brits have smartphones, and many of them have an Apple or a Samsung version of the phone. Smartphones exploded in popularity in the 2010s, and it is likely that you or someone you know bought a smartphone between the years 2015 and 2024. 

If that is the case, then you could be entitled to compensation. A trial commenced on October 6 and is expected to last five week, according to consumer group Which?. Which? has taken on Qualcomm to represent a staggering 29 million UK consumers who bought an Apple or Samsung smartphone since 2015. The group alleges that Qualcomm took part in anticompetitive practices, hence driving up the prices that Brits paid for smartphones during this period. 

Which? is seeking reimbursement of more than £480 million for these consumers. The claim automatically includes who bought particular models of Apple or Samsung smartphones, whether it was directly from the manufacturer, network provider or other smartphone retailer. 

However, Qualcomm has previously said that the claim made by Which? has “no basis”. During these court proceedings, Which? is seeking damages for all affected Apple and Samsung smartphones purchased between 1 October 2015 and 9 January 2024.

The consumer group said in a statement: “Which? believes that those affected should get back the money they are rightfully owed, and urges anyone affected to sign up for updates on the action so you can track its progress.”

Qualcomm is an American tech company that holds a number of patents crucial to the development of 4G and 5G. Its products, which include semiconductors and software, are crucial to smartphones. 

Which? alleges that the US company refuses to license its patents to other competing chipset manufacturers. It also accuses the company of refusing to supply chipsets to smartphone manufacturers, such as Apple and Samsung, unless those companies obtain a separate licence and pay inflated royalties to Qualcomm.

The consumer group added: “Which? believes that these practices enable Qualcomm to charge Apple and Samsung artificially high fees for its patents. Those higher fees raise manufacturing costs and are ultimately passed on to UK consumers through inflated prices or lower-quality smartphones.”