Capture the Suneung Peak Season... Flagship Official Subsidies Rise and Release Prices Fall

SKT·LGU+ iPhone 12 Mini Official Subsidy Up to 430,000 KRW
Galaxy S20 Ultra Price Reduced to 1,298,000 KRW
LGU+ Raises Official Subsidies for Galaxy Z Fold2, Flip 5G, and LG Wing
SKT Lowers Galaxy Fold Price to 1,500,000 KRW

On the 30th, the day Apple officially launched its first 5G smartphone, the iPhone 12 series, customers were seen exploring the products at the Apple Store on Garosugil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] As December begins, the official subsidies for recently released flagship smartphones have significantly increased, while the prices of older smartphones have dropped. Mobile carriers have intensified their marketing efforts in line with the smartphone replacement season for students who have completed the college entrance exam.

According to the industry on the 3rd, the official subsidies for the iPhone 12 mini, Galaxy Z Fold2, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, and LG Wing have been adjusted upward. The Galaxy S20 Ultra, released in February, also saw a price reduction.

iPhone 12 Mini Official Subsidy Raised Targeting Students... Z Fold2 Up to 500,000 KRW

Apple's first 5G smartphone, the iPhone 12 series, was officially released in Korea on the 30th and is displayed at the Apple Store on Garosugil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

SK Telecom and LG Uplus raised the official subsidy for the iPhone 12 mini to a maximum of 430,000 KRW this month. This came just 12 days after the iPhone 12 mini was released. KT first raised the subsidy on the 27th of last month, and all three carriers have now adjusted it upward. SK Telecom increased it to between 270,000 and 420,000 KRW, and LG Uplus to between 212,000 and 430,000 KRW. Based on the highest amount, the subsidy rose by about 220,000 KRW.

iPhones generally have lower official subsidies. Moreover, it is unusual to raise the subsidy for a latest device entering its second week since release. The iPhone 12 mini was the only model in the iPhone 12 series launched in the 900,000 KRW price range, and carriers appear to have raised the subsidy to attract 5G subscribers during the college entrance exam season. Although the subsidy increased, receiving a 25% discount on the plan is still cheaper.

LG Uplus significantly raised the official subsidies for the two foldable models and the LG Wing released after September. The subsidies for the Galaxy Z Fold2, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, and LG Wing were adjusted upward to between 268,000 and 500,000 KRW each. Considering the previous subsidies ranged from a minimum of 80,000 KRW to a maximum of 200,000 KRW, this is more than double the previous amounts. Subsidies of 500,000 KRW are available starting from plans priced in the 80,000 KRW range.

Galaxy S20 Ultra Price Reduced to 1.29 Million KRW by All Three Carriers

The Galaxy S20 Ultra's price was also reduced to 1,298,000 KRW by all three carriers. This is a decrease of 292,000 KRW from the initial price of 1.59 million KRW. Following LG Uplus and KT's price reduction to 1.45 million KRW in October, an additional price adjustment was made.

The official subsidies for the Galaxy S20 Ultra vary by carrier. As of the 1st, SK Telecom raised the subsidy to between 395,000 and 580,000 KRW, KT to between 270,000 and 600,000 KRW, while LG Uplus lowered the subsidy to between 268,000 and 500,000 KRW. This is a reduction of 50,000 to 100,000 KRW compared to before.

On the 8th, visitors are touring the Samsung Electronics booth at the Korea Electronics Industry Exhibition held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The Korea Electronics Industry Exhibition, composed of three exhibitions: Korea Electronics Show, Semiconductor Exhibition, and Korea Display Industry Exhibition, features a total of 750 domestic and international companies including Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, participating with 1,900 booths to showcase the latest products and technologies that represent the future of the Fourth Industrial Revolution era. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Clearance of older foldable phone stock continues. SK Telecom lowered the price of Samsung Electronics' first foldable phone, the 'Galaxy Fold 5G,' released last year, and also raised the official subsidy. The price was reduced to 1,500,400 KRW, a decrease of 897,600 KRW from the initial price. Carriers had lowered the price to 1,705,000 KRW at the end of October, and this is the third price reduction. The official subsidy was raised to a maximum of 580,000 KRW.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.