Millions of individuals who bought Apple or Samsung smartphones in the past may be eligible for compensation if an important legal case led by Which? against a major technology company succeeds.
The lawsuit focuses on whether Qualcomm possessed market dominance and, if so, whether it misused that power. Qualcomm is a global tech firm specializing in wireless telecommunications products, software, and services.
According to Which?, Qualcomm allegedly imposed inflated fees for technology licenses on manufacturers like Apple and Samsung, which could have led to higher prices for customers.
The trial commences today and is set to last five weeks at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London. If the initial phase is successful, a second trial will follow where Which? will seek damages estimated at around £480 million.
Which? has indicated that individuals who purchased an Apple or Samsung smartphone between October 1, 2015, and January 9, 2024, might be impacted.
If successful, Which? estimates that approximately 29 million consumers could receive about £17 in compensation per phone. The claim would automatically cover buyers of specific models of Apple or Samsung smartphones.
However, it is important to note that there is no guarantee of compensation at this stage, as the case must first succeed in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Anabel Hoult, the chief executive of Which?, stated, “This trial is a significant moment, demonstrating how consumer power, supported by Which?, can be employed to hold major companies accountable for any misuse of their dominant market position.”
Without Which? representing the interests of millions of affected UK consumers, seeking damages from the company on an individual basis would likely not be feasible. This underscores the importance of consumers uniting to claim the compensation they deserve.
The Mirror has reached out to Qualcomm for a comment.
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