A major UK consumer lawsuit alleging that Qualcomm inflated iPhone prices through its patent licensing practices will be withdrawn with no payment. The case, raised on behalf of 29 million UK smartphone buyers, was seeking £480 million in compensation for consumers who purchased Apple or Samsung devices since 2015.

Which?, the British consumer association that filed the case, agreed to withdraw it following a review of the likely tribunal outcome. The lawsuit claimed Qualcomm abused its dominant market position by requiring manufacturers to obtain licenses for standard essential patents before purchasing chipsets, even when Qualcomm chips weren't used in devices. This practice allegedly increased smartphone costs for consumers.

Which? concluded the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal would likely determine that Qualcomm's practices didn't violate competition law or lead to higher prices. The withdrawal marks another chapter in the long-running disputes between Qualcomm and Apple over patent licensing. Apple has been transitioning away from Qualcomm modems, beginning with the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e, as it develops its own custom cellular chips. The case withdrawal without payment represents a significant setback for consumer advocates seeking compensation for alleged patent licensing abuses in the smartphone industry.