Apple previously accused Qualcomm of “double-dipping” as a result of the company’s policies over selling radio chips for use in iPhones. The Cupertino company had also objected to Qualcomm charging a percentage of the price of an iPhone rather than a fixed fee per chip.
Apple withdrew its claims back in 2024, but an independent class-action lawsuit was still being pursued on behalf of iPhone owners. This lawsuit has now been abandoned …
Qualcomm ‘double-dipping’ claims
The dispute between Apple and Qualcomm over the radio chips used in iPhones was a lengthy and often heated one.
Qualcomm was accused of effectively charging Apple twice: once for the chips themselves. and again for a patent license granting Apple the right to use the technology embedded in the chips. Apple referred to this practice as double-dipping.
Apple took aim at Qualcomm’s practice of requiring customers to sign patent license agreements before purchasing chips, known in the industry as “no license, no chips”. The license allows Qualcomm to take a percentage of the overall selling price for iPhone in exchange for supplying the modem chips that let phones connect to cellular data networks.
You can read a more detailed recap of the dispute here, but Apple was finally forced to settle the case out of court.
Independent class action lawsuit withdrawn
Although Apple settled the case, a separate independent class action lawsuit continued in the UK. This made the same claims against Qualcomm, arguing that the policy forced up the prices of iPhones and therefore consumers were due compensation.
Reuters reports that this lawsuit has now been abandoned.
Qualcomm said on Tuesday a London lawsuit alleging it had abused its dominant position to force Apple and Samsung to pay inflated royalties will be withdrawn.
The British consumers’ association which goes by the name of Which? had brought the case on behalf of around 29 million people who bought iPhones or Samsung devices since 2015, seeking 480 million pounds ($652.03 million) in compensation.
It had seemingly become clear that the claim would not succeed.
Apple is still in the process of transitioning to its own custom radio chips.
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