Some Samsung Galaxy S4 buyers can claim their share of a $13.4 million settlement

by Alan Friedman / Oct 02, 2019, 11:40 PM

Some Samsung Galaxy S4 buyers can claim their share of a $13.4 million settlement

Benchmark tests exist so that enthusiasts and even manufactures can check the relative performance of different smartphones without opinions entering into the calculations. It can also quantify the difference in the performance of a particular phone after a software update, or an upgrade/downgrade in specs. Back in 2013, it wasn't unusual for companies like Samsung and HTC to overclock the CPU or GPU on their phones when they detected that a benchmark test was running on them.

That same year, we told you that the international version of the Samsung Galaxy S4, powered by the Exynos 5410 chipset, was responding to benchmark tests by overclocking the PowerVR SGX 544MP3 graphics unit. Normally the GPU ran at a clock speed at 480MHz, but when the phone detected that benchmarking apps like AnTuTu, Quadrant and GLBenchmark 2.5.1 were being used, the GPU would run as fast as 533MHz.

Those who purchased an Exynos powered Samsung Galaxy S4 are in line to receive a share of this settlement

Well, when word of this artificial benchmarking boost came out, a class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of those who purchased an Exynos powered Samsung Galaxy S4. According to papers filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (via Android Police), instead of taking its chances after five years of litigation, Samsung agreed to a $13.4 million settlement.

"S4s were sold between $249 to $649, and the allegation is that the GS4s were not as fast as their benchmark test results (not that the GS4 failed to perform). A simple calculation of the amount that Samsung might have earned through the alleged unfair business practice over the next three years had it not been discontinued ($10,594,921) and the approximate number of class members (780,000),3 creates a maximum recovery that would be approximately $13.47 per class member. Here, if 120,000 (or 15.5%) or fewer class members submit claims, each class member will recover $10.00 which is approximately 74% of the maximum recovery amount."-Settlement papers filed with the court

Now if you owned an Exynos powered Galaxy S4, you might see that total settlement amount and start dreaming of all the things that you're going to buy thanks to Sammy. There's that mansion you've always wanted, the new Porsche and that long vacation in Monte Carlo. Heck, you might even add the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ to the list. But before you start spending all of that money, there is something you should know. The settlement works out to no more than $10 for each qualifying Galaxy S4 purchaser. And that is an estimate based on a very low number of claims being filed (5% or less). Well, those receiving their share of the settlement can still pick up an inexpensive case for the Galaxy Note 10+. By the way, the attorneys will collect $1.5 million, or 11.12% of the settlement value. The lead plaintiff will receive an extra $7,500.

In addition to paying out $13.4 million, Samsung promised not to manipulate benchmark results on its devices, but only for three years. It almost sounds like this is something that they were still doing up to now. After three years, Samsung will be allowed to reuse the code that overclocks the processors when one of its phones detects that a benchmark test is running.

Details on how to claim the $10 have yet to be announced. As soon as we hear something, we will update this story with the information. Meanwhile, we probably should remind you that as recently as 2017, the OnePlus 3T and the Meizu Pro 6 were both accused of overclocking their CPUs when running benchmark tests from Geekbench and AnTuTu. In 2016, the OnePlus 3T was named by AnTuTu of having the top score for an Android phone. That assessment should be viewed skeptically in retrospect.

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10 Comments

1. drunkenjay

Posts: 1697; Member since: Feb 11, 2013

well deserved. they shouldn't cheat on the benchmarks in a way to get the consumers to purchase their product.

posted on Oct 03, 2019, 12:20 AM 2

9. PartTimePhoner

Posts: 24; Member since: Jun 03, 2019

Everyone still does it tho thats the reason there is a difference between Speedtest G and Antutu results

posted on Oct 03, 2019, 3:21 PM 0

2. Demo-jay

Posts: 78; Member since: Feb 13, 2018

I want some cash from Apple too for throttling my phone with out my consent..

posted on Oct 03, 2019, 12:39 AM 13

3. Alcyone

Posts: 489; Member since: May 10, 2018

Haha. Not gonna happen. Hell would need to freeze first, and it wouldn't be posted on PA. Every oem is probably cheating on benchmark and performance tests. Throttling is just as bad, specially when the user didn't consent. Surprised a suit isn't in the settlement phase on batterygate.

posted on Oct 03, 2019, 12:49 AM 6

4. gadgetpower

Posts: 283; Member since: Aug 23, 2019

Samsung always cheats.

posted on Oct 03, 2019, 5:05 AM 1

5. apple-rulz

Posts: 2197; Member since: Dec 27, 2016

The Samsung Defense Force will either 1) completely skip over this article or 2) in the comments section blame Apple for being bad and greedy and never address what Samsung did wrong i.e., the gist of the article.

posted on Oct 03, 2019, 7:03 AM 2

7. sissy246

Posts: 7124; Member since: Mar 04, 2015

Wrong If ANY company including Samsung cheat and lie to people in any way and with any luck they get caught they should have to pay.

posted on Oct 03, 2019, 9:48 AM 0

6. irwan92

Posts: 47; Member since: Feb 12, 2013

World nowadays we settled problem with money. Im afraid with people because they are slave of money. They no longer human

posted on Oct 03, 2019, 7:40 AM 0

8. VariableCheapskate

Posts: 174; Member since: May 29, 2019

Whereas the majority of smartphone buyers don't know enough, care enough, or read about specs on their smartphones when they still go for old flagships or current budget phones.

posted on Oct 03, 2019, 9:59 AM 0

10. PartTimePhoner

Y'all know that there is a reason behind Antutu test results being different from Speedtest G results right? Y'all actin like it doesnt happen right now even though all brands are on the peak of overclocking