Millions of Apple and Samsung customers are one step closer to receiving a share of compensation totalling £500million.
Consumer champion Which? has been given permission to launch legal action against a smartphone chip maker.
Which? claims Qualcomm has “abused its position as a dominant company” to overcharge the companies it supplies, including Apple and Samsung.
It argues that these inflated charges were passed on to customers, meaning they were paying more for their smartphones as a result.
In a statement on its website, Which? has confirmed that the Competition Appeal Tribunal has given it the go-ahead for the claim to proceed to trial.
If successful, Which? says around 30 million UK customers who purchased 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 potentially receive does depend on the number and type of phones you bought.
Which? said that Qualcomm had argued the cost of the legal battle would outweigh any benefit, but a Tribunal has ruled that "in the current economic climate" even a small payout would be welcomed by customers.
What happens next?
Which? is launched what is called a class action lawsuit against Qualcomm. This is where a court grants permission for an individual or party to collectively represent a group of people.
You don't need to do anything in order to participate in the class action.
If compensation is granted, you will be automatically included in the claim unless you tell Which? that you don't want to be involved.
You can sign up to the legal claim website for more information and updates. This also includes a list of handsets that Which? suspects could be affected.
Anabel Hoult, chief executive at Which?, said: "If Qualcomm has abused its market power, it must be held to account. This judgement ensures that it can be.
"Which? brought this claim on behalf of millions of affected UK consumers as it would not have been realistic for people to seek damages from the company on an individual basis."
A Qualcomm spokesperson told Which?: "We disagree with today’s ruling, though it is strictly procedural and in no way supportive of the plaintiff’s meritless assertions.
"The claims here recycle allegations in an old case brought by the Federal Trade Commission in the US, which Qualcomm won.
"The theories seen here were discredited two years ago by a unanimous panel of judges at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the US."
