"UK iPhone and Galaxy Owners to Share £480m Payout"

Apple and Samsung Users in UK May Be Due Share of £480m Payout Nearly 30 million people in the UK who bought an Apple or Samsung smartphone between 2015 and 2024 may be entitled to a payout of around £17 each if consumer campaign group Which? is successful in its case against US tech giant Qualcomm. The trial, which began on Monday at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London, is expected to last five weeks. According to Which?, the chip company forced Apple and Samsung to pay inflated prices and licensing fees for essential handset components, resulting in higher costs for consumers. "We believe that Qualcomm's actions were anti-competitive and led to significant harm to consumers," said a spokesperson for Which?. "If we are successful, we estimate that around 30 million people could be eligible for a payout of around £17 each." The case against Qualcomm centers on its business practices in the UK between 2015 and 2024. During this time, the company allegedly charged Apple and Samsung inflated prices for essential components such as modems and baseband processors. These costs were then passed on to consumers through higher smartphone prices. According to a report by Which?, the total cost of these inflated prices could be as high as £480 million. "This is a significant amount of money that could have been avoided if Qualcomm had not engaged in anti-competitive practices," said an expert analyst. The trial is expected to provide more insight into Qualcomm's business practices and the impact on consumers. If Which? is successful, it would mark a major victory for consumer rights groups and could lead to changes in the way tech companies operate in the UK. In response to the allegations, Qualcomm has maintained that its business practices are lawful and fair. However, the company has not commented specifically on the case against it. The outcome of the trial is expected to be significant for consumers who purchased Apple or Samsung smartphones between 2015 and 2024. If Which? is successful, eligible consumers could receive a payout of around £17 each. The exact amount would depend on various factors, including the number of people affected and the final judgment. The trial is ongoing, with a verdict expected in several weeks' time. In the meantime, consumers who believe they may be eligible for a payout are advised to keep an eye on updates from Which? and the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Sources: Which? BBC Technology BBC Business This story was compiled from reports by BBC Technology and BBC Business.