The three major mobile carriers have launched pre-orders for Apple's first foldable smartphone, the 'iPhone Duo,' kicking off a competition over purchase incentives. They are vying to attract customers by offering trade-in compensation for used phones, discounts through partner cards, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) subscription vouchers, content usage passes, and discounts on Apple devices.
On the 16th, Apple announced that pre-orders would begin at 9 p.m. that day. The official launch date is the 23rd. The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable smartphone, featuring a 7.6-inch display when unfolded and a 5.4-inch display when folded. While it is passport-sized when folded, it is characterized by a D-shaped asymmetric curve.
SKT: Perks including roulette and used phone trade-in compensation
First, SK Telecom will run a roulette event on its official online mall, T Direct Shop, randomly distributing usage vouchers worth up to 300,000 won to pre-order customers. When combined with used phone trade-in compensation and partner card discounts, customers can receive benefits worth up to 2.21 million won. Existing phones returned will be compensated for up to 1.17 million won, and the first 1,000 customers will receive additional compensation of up to 200,000 won. Additionally, using the Samsung Card T Premium with monthly spending of over 800,000 won allows customers to receive a total discount of 840,000 won over 24 months.
Customers who activate their service after pre-ordering will be provided free subscriptions for two months of Google AI Plus 400GB and six months of Tving Ad-supported Standard. Those who activate by November 30 can also receive coupons worth 50,000 won for Outback Steakhouse, as well as two-month free usage passes for Kakao Emotion Plus and Baemin Club. T Direct Shop will offer same-day delivery on launch day for first-wave reservation customers until noon on the 20th.
KT: Plans dropping to '0 won' + device discounts… Fast delivery too
KT has combined plan and device discount benefits. The 'Choice Double' plan allows customers to combine desired perks such as YouTube Premium Lite, Netflix Ad-supported Standard, Google AI Plus, device discounts, and Phone Care. In particular, those who sign up for the 'Choice Double Device' by October 31 and select AirPods Pro 3 can use them at a benefit price of 0 won based on a 24-month installment plan. However, a separate installment fee of 5.9% applies.
KT is also operating a device compensation program. 'Phone Change_iDuo' can be joined for 6,500 won per month, and if the existing phone is returned after two years, up to 50% of the original retail price at the time of joining is guaranteed. '365 Phone Care' provides coverage for loss, theft, and damage, as well as repair agency services. By utilizing partner card double discounts, customers can receive up to approximately 1.29 million won in plan and device discounts over 24 months, plus card-specific cashback, totaling benefits of up to approximately 1.44 million won.
KT Direct Shop guarantees same-day delivery on launch day for first-wave pre-order customers and delivery within three days from the launch date for second-wave customers. With a dedicated 7% plan discount, customers can save up to 210,000 won, and an additional compensation of up to 200,000 won is provided on top of market rates when returning used phones. The first 500 customers who pre-order and activate with the Choice Double plan will be paid 60,000 won in Naver Pay.
LG Uplus: 70% compensation pass allows phone replacement before two-year contract ends
LG Uplus's differentiator is a compensation program that allows customers to bring forward their device replacement timing. The '70% Compensation Pass' is a product where, for a monthly fee of 18,000 won, customers can return their existing device starting from the sixth month after activation and replace it with a new iPhone, receiving up to 70% of the retail price as points compensation. The compensation amount varies depending on conditions such as the time of return and the condition of the device. A '50% Compensation Pass,' which compensates up to 50% of the retail price after 24 months of use, is also available for 5,000 won per month.
On its official online store, LG Uplus provides number porting customers with device discount coupons worth up to 300,000 won. Interest-free installments are supported when paying with Samsung or Hyundai Card, and cashback of up to 100,000 won can be received if partner conditions are met. When returning used phones, an additional payment of up to 180,000 won is provided on top of the existing compensation price.
Benefits for AI devices and subscriptions have also been prepared. Customers who sign up for the Nugget 65 plan can receive up to an 80% discount on AI smart glasses, while number porting customers can receive a full discount on device installments depending on conditions. Customers who subscribe to Apple Device Plus Plan 105 or higher are also offered a benefit that fully discounts the 24th-month installment for the AirPods 5 wireless charging model. Opportunities to experience the iPhone Duo are also provided at 18 stores in major commercial districts such as Gangnam and Hongdae, and at 'Il-sang Bi-il-sang-ui Geum.'
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