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Apple and Samsung have been fined ten and five million euros (£10m and £4.4m / $11.5m and $5.7m) respectively for the 'planned obsolescence' of their smartphones.

The Italian ruling is believed to be the first against the manufacturers, following accusations worldwide that they engage in the practice.

It works by encouraging operating system updates for older phones which slow them down, thereby encouraging the purchase of new phones.

Two 'complex investigations' by the anti-trust authority AGCM revealed thatboth firms implemented unfair commercial practices, a statement said.