KT to Start Samsung Foldable Pre-Orders from 17th with Up to 50% Trade-In Program

Applications accepted at nationwide stores and KT Shop until the 23rd
Activation starts from the 24th... Official launch on the 27th

[Asia Economy Reporter Joeslgina] KT announced on the 16th that from the 17th to the 23rd, for 7 days, it will conduct pre-orders for Samsung Electronics' new foldable phones, the ‘Galaxy Z Fold3’ and ‘Galaxy Z Flip3’, at nationwide KT stores and the official online mall KT Shop. Following the pre-order activation on the 24th, the official launch will be on the 27th.

The Z Fold3 features a 7.6-inch screen, and the Z Flip3 has a 6.7-inch screen, making them the first foldable phones to offer water resistance. The Z Fold3 supports the S Pen, which must be purchased separately. The Z Flip3 is characterized by an external display that is four times larger than its predecessor.

The Z Fold3 comes in three colors: ‘Phantom Black’, ‘Phantom Green’, and ‘Phantom Silver’, with built-in memory options of 256GB and 512GB. Prices are 1,998,700 KRW (including VAT) for 256GB and 2,097,700 KRW (including VAT) for 512GB. The Z Flip3 is available in four colors: ‘Phantom Black’, ‘Cream’, ‘Green’, and ‘Lavender’, with a single 256GB model priced at 1,254,000 KRW (including VAT). The price is about 400,000 KRW cheaper than previous foldable phone series.

Customers who feel burdened by purchasing foldable phones can receive discounts through ▲Super Change ▲interest-free installment cards ▲partner cards. ‘Super Change’ is a program where customers use a foldable phone for 24 months and return it to receive compensation of up to 50% of the original price for a new Galaxy premium phone. Enrollment is available from the 24th of this month until October 31.

The ‘BC Blackpink Card’, which eliminates installment interest burdens, offers up to 24 months of interest-free installments when purchasing a device, saving up to about 130,000 KRW on the Fold3 512GB. Simultaneously, if you set automatic payment for your communication bill with the ‘Super 2.5 Hyundai Card’, a card exclusive to the 5G Super Plan Choice, and have a card usage record of over 700,000 KRW in the previous month, you can receive a monthly discount of 18,000 KRW for 24 months. When subscribing to the ‘Hyundai Card Choice’ plan, an additional monthly discount of 7,000 KRW is applied, and with automatic payment of communication fees and agreement to card revolving, cashback up to 100,000 KRW is additionally provided.

Reflecting the trend that single-person households exceed 30% of all household types, KT has strengthened benefits to reduce communication fee burdens even for individuals with the launch of foldable phones.

Through the ‘Premium Single Combination’ promotion, individuals can use unlimited data plans at up to half price. If using gigabit internet (500M or higher), you can receive up to a 50% discount on your mobile monthly fee with the ‘Premium Single Combination’.

When using the ‘Netflix Special Choice’ plan, applying the selective discount (25%) and premium single combination (25%) results in a monthly fee of 55,000 KRW, which includes unlimited 5G data and Netflix, as well as VVIP benefits, free monthly subscriptions for smart devices like the Galaxy Watch, device insurance discounts up to 4,500 KRW (deducted from membership), making it very economical.

Meanwhile, when newly subscribing to KT Internet (500M or higher) and IPTV (Basic or higher), you can purchase the ‘Galaxy Watch4’ and ‘Galaxy Book GO’ at a discounted price through the ‘Half-Price Choice’. Especially, the Watch4 can be provided free of charge depending on the internet and IPTV products, making it burden-free. ‘Half-Price Choice’ is a program that allows customers to purchase home appliances at half price or even more discounted prices when newly subscribing to KT Internet and IPTV.

Customers purchasing foldable phones together with the Watch4 or Galaxy Book GO will also receive gifts such as Samsung Wireless Charging Duo. Applications can be made on the KT homepage until September 30 after activation.

KT has prepared various benefits to coincide with the launch of the Galaxy foldable phones. To reduce worries about damage or loss when using foldable phones, KT newly introduced the device insurance ‘Super Safe 3 Galaxy Care lite’. Compared to previous plans, the price is significantly lowered, additional coverage for Galaxy Watch damage is included, and ‘Buds Safe4’, which covers loss or damage of earbuds, is provided free of charge, enhancing benefits. The Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 can be insured for 8,700 KRW and 6,700 KRW per month (including VAT), respectively. When using special plans or higher, discounts up to 4,500 KRW apply, making the monthly fee around 4,000 KRW and 2,000 KRW, respectively, providing all-in-one care for foldable phones, watches, and earbuds. Enrollment is available only for three months from August 24 to November 30.

Limited edition special kits in partnership with popular brands have also been prepared. The kit for the Fold includes a collaboration with the famous golf brand ‘Callaway’, consisting of a Callaway case (Spigen), strap, and pop socket. The kit for the Flip is a package including popular products from three brands?‘J. Estina’, ‘Clove’, and ‘Camel Coffee’?along with a transparent Spigen case, a mini cross bag, and phone decoration stickers, offered at an affordable price. Anyone can purchase these from KT Shop starting at the end of August.

KT also introduces the ‘Smart Account’ in partnership with K Bank. New K Bank customers and KT 5G Super Plan Choice users can receive an interest rate benefit of up to 5.0% (base 0.1% + preferential 4.9%) within a limit of 1 million KRW. From the 23rd, customers can access the K Bank homepage and apply for the product via a dedicated QR code listed on the KT homepage and leaflets.

Existing or new foldable phone users can use the ‘VVIP Benefits’ once. They can choose one of nine partner benefits including Baskin Robbins, Domino’s Pizza, Kkukka, Refresh Golf, and more. Applications can be made from August 24 to September 30 via the ‘KT Membership’ app or KT homepage, and benefits will be provided to the first 20,000 applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.

KT operates a ‘9 PM Quick Delivery’ service limited to the first 1,000 customers in the Seoul area who pre-order through the official online shopping mall KT Shop (shop.kt.com). This service allows customers to receive their devices a day before the official activation via ‘Mesh Korea (Vroong)’, a one-hour delivery specialist, ensuring the fastest and safest delivery.

Additionally, KT is running a prize event worth a total of 30 million KRW for customers who pre-order and purchase through KT Shop, offering prizes such as foldable ‘iRunner treadmill’, ‘Byro electric bicycle’, camping wagons, relax chairs, and Raon umbrellas. Customers also receive a ‘30,000 KRW accessory coupon’ for premium Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 accessory packages and a ‘KT Shop Coupon Pack’ providing shopping coupons up to 9,000 KRW monthly for 24 months.

A ‘First Customer’ activation event will be held where customers can meet table tennis national player Shin Yubin and basketball national player Heo Hoon and receive a Galaxy Watch4. Customers who apply in advance and are eligible for activation on the 24th will be contacted individually through a lottery.

Furthermore, KT offers various benefits to all customers who pre-order and purchase the Z Fold3 or Z Flip3 during the pre-activation period. They will receive ‘Galaxy Buds2’ and a one-year subscription to ‘Samsung Care Plus Damage Protection’. Additionally, Z Fold3 buyers get a ‘Flip Cover with Pen’, and Z Flip3 buyers receive a case and a lucky box. There are also various partnership benefits such as the Z-in recommendation event, one-time free application of genuine protective film, and a lottery for round-trip airfare tickets to Guam and Saipan. Detailed information can be found on the ‘Samsung Members’ application.

Kim Byung-gyun, Head of KT Device Business Division (Executive Director), said, “We have prepared differentiated benefits unique to KT to coincide with the launch of the upgraded and stylish Z Fold3 and Z Flip3,” adding, “We hope customers experience foldable phones that reduce burdens through programs like Super Change and Premium Single Combination.”