What’s the Claim?

This website explains the legal claim brought by Which? against Qualcomm. Which? alleges that Qualcomm has contravened competition law. Which?’s claim is an opt-out collective claim, which means that Which? automatically represents all those who fit the class definition, who are called class members. If you purchased a new Apple or Samsung 4G smartphone between 1 October 2015 and 9 January 2024, then you are likely included as a class member represented by Which?; see the FAQs here for more details.

Who is Qualcomm?

Qualcomm is a global manufacturer of chipsets which enable smartphones to connect to 4G networks. It also holds patents essential to widely-used 4G technology.

What happened?

Qualcomm is alleged to have abused its position as a dominant company and charged smartphone manufacturers inflated fees to use its technology. This increased costs for smartphone manufacturers, such as Apple and Samsung, and in turn led to consumers paying higher prices for our phones.

Qualcomm chipset
Qualcomm chipset held between fingers

We estimate that millions of people in the UK are affected – are you one of them?

If you are a UK consumer and purchased an Apple or Samsung smartphone (as part of a mobile phone contract) in the UK between 1 October 2015 and 9 January 2024 you could be due a payment – find out if you’re one of them here.

Why is Which? doing this?

Which? is the UK’s consumer champion, here to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. We believe that Qualcomm breached competition law and it cost UK consumers millions of pounds, so we are taking legal action against Qualcomm to recover the overpayments made on Apple and Samsung handsets bought between 1 October 2015 and 9 January 2024.

This type of legal action means that, if you’re eligible, you will automatically be included in the claim unless you have told us that you don’t want to be.

Smartphone customers in UK
Smartphone customers in UK smiling and looking at phone

It’s estimated that if we’re successful, Qualcomm is likely to owe consumers about £480 million.

Hand holding cell phone

Am I part of the class of consumers that Which?
represents in this claim?

Use our eligibility tool to find out if you might be eligible to be part of the class.

Unfortunately, based on the information you’ve provided you’re not likely to be part of the class of consumers that Which? is representing.

If you don’t know why you are not included, please visit the FAQs page or submit a query via our online enquiry form.

You are likely to be part of the class that Which? represents in this claim.

Based on the information you’ve provided, you are likely to be automatically included as part of the class of consumers that Which? is representing. Register here to receive updates on the claim.

No money is available now and there is no guarantee that money will be available in the future. In order for any money to be available, these claims will have to be successful at trial before the Tribunal or concluded by way of an earlier settlement agreed between Which?, on behalf of the class, and Qualcomm.