Galaxy S21 Ultra Support Fund Back to 700,000 Won... iPhone 12 Mini Also Released

Galaxy S21 Ultra 500,000→150,000→700,000 KRW
Reduced last week then increased again
Actual device purchase price falls to mid-600,000 KRW range

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Last week, the official subsidy for the highest-priced model of the 'Galaxy S21' series, the 'Galaxy S21 Ultra,' which had been cut to one-third compared to before, has risen again to a maximum of 700,000 KRW. The subsidy jumped about four times from the previous 150,000 KRW, lowering the actual purchase price of the product to the mid-600,000 KRW range.

According to the related industry on the 9th, SK Telecom raised the official subsidy applied to the Galaxy S21 Ultra 256G under the '5GX Prime' plan costing 89,000 KRW per month from the previous 150,000 KRW to 700,000 KRW, more than four times higher. When combined with the additional subsidy, which can be paid up to 15% more depending on the distribution channel's capability, the actual purchase price of the product drops from the retail price of 1,452,000 KRW to 647,000 KRW.

Other carriers are similar. In the case of KT, when using the 'Super Plan Basic Choice' at 90,000 KRW per month, a 700,000 KRW official subsidy is provided for both the Galaxy S21 Ultra 256G and 512G models. LG Uplus also offers a subsidy of 600,000 KRW, four times the previous 151,000 KRW, for the Galaxy S21 Ultra 256G and 512G models under the '5G Premier Essential' plan costing 85,000 KRW per month.

The subsidy for the 'iPhone 12 mini' series also increased by about 160,000 KRW from the previous 340,000 KRW to 500,000 KRW. Under SK Telecom's 5GX Prime plan, a total of seven models are eligible, ranging from the 'iPhone 12 mini Tida Tizni Edition 128G' to the 'iPhone 12 mini 64G' and 'iPhone 12 mini Purple.' KT also expanded the subsidy for the iPhone 12 mini 64G to 500,000 KRW under the Super Plan. In this case, the actual purchase price drops to about 370,000 KRW for the 64G model and about 580,000 KRW for the maximum capacity 256G model.

The official subsidy is usually jointly borne by the mobile carrier and the manufacturer, and individual subsidy amounts are not disclosed. It is also interpreted that part of this move is aimed at clearing inventory ahead of Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Unpacked (new product launch) event this week. Samsung is expected to unveil new foldable phones such as the 'Galaxy Z Flip 3' and 'Z Fold 3.' An industry insider explained, "Official subsidies are part of sales strategies that consider various variables."

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