Millions of Apple and Samsung customers could be in for compensation – are you affected?

Which? has confirmed that the Competition Appeal Tribunal has given the green light to launch a class action lawsuit against smartphone chipmaker Qualcomm

Millions of Apple and Samsung customers are one step closer to claiming a share of the £500m compensation.

Consumer Champion Which? has received permission to take legal action against a maker of smartphone chips.

Which? claims Qualcomm “abused its position as a dominant company” to overwhelm the companies it supplies, including Apple and Samsung.

It is argued that these excessive charges were passed on to customers, meaning they paid more for their smartphones as a result.

In a statement on its website, which? has confirmed that the Competition Appeal Tribunal has given its green light to the case to go to court.

If successful, which ones? says around 30 million UK customers who bought an Apple or Samsung smartphone since October 1, 2015 could be in line for compensation.

The money you could be owed would be worth around £16 to £17 per person if the claim is successful.

Do you think you could be entitled to compensation? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

But any amount you could possibly get depends on the number and type of phones you bought.

Which? said Qualcomm had argued that the costs of the litigation would outweigh any benefits, but a court has ruled that “in the current economic climate,” even a small payout would be welcomed by customers.

What happens next?

Which? a so-called class action lawsuit is initiated against Qualcomm. Here a court gives permission to an individual or party to represent a group of people collectively.

You don’t have to do anything to participate in the class action.

If compensation is awarded, you will automatically be included in the claim unless you say Who? that you don’t want to participate.

You can log on to the Legal Claims website for more information and updates. It also includes a list of handsets, Which? Suspects could be affected.

Anabel Hoult, managing director of Which?, said: “If Qualcomm has abused its market power, it must be held accountable. This judgment ensures that this is possible.

“Which? brought this lawsuit on behalf of millions of affected UK consumers, as it would not have been realistic for people to be able to claim damages from the company on an individual basis.”

A Qualcomm spokesperson told which?: “We disagree with today’s ruling, although it is strictly procedural and in no way supports the plaintiff’s unsubstantiated allegations.

“The allegations here revisit allegations in an old case brought by the Federal Trade Commission in the US that Qualcomm won.

“The theories presented here were discredited by a unanimous jury of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the United States two years ago.”