Free 'AirPods Pro' Starting from 110,000 Won Plan
New Subscription Program Also Launched Targeting Enthusiasts
[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] KT will begin accepting pre-orders for four iPhone 13 models starting next month on the 1st. They are also introducing a new ‘subscription program’ that allows users to use the new iPhone every year.
KT announced on the 30th that pre-orders for Apple’s new smartphones, the four iPhone 13 models, will start on October 1 at all KT stores nationwide and the official online mall, KT Shop, with the official launch on the 8th. On KT Shop, pre-orders will be available from 12:01 AM on October 1.
The price of the iPhone 13 models ranges from the mid-940,000 KRW to around 2,140,000 KRW, depending on the model and storage capacity.
KT is launching a ‘subscription’ program so that Apple enthusiasts can use a new iPhone every year. Like content or membership subscriptions, users pay a fixed monthly fee to use the iPhone 13 for a specific period. KT explains that the subscription fee is 15% cheaper than the 24-month installment payment. After using it for at least one year, users can return the device and switch to the next iPhone. The subscription fee varies depending on the selected device.
KT is also running a limited-time promotion called ‘AirPods Choice’ that allows Apple users to use AirPods Pro. By subscribing to the ‘AirPods Choice Special (110,000 KRW)’ or ‘AirPods Choice Premium (130,000 KRW)’ plans, the AirPods Pro installment fee is discounted monthly. The AirPods Pro is priced at 246,950 KRW on KT Shop. The promotion runs until October 31 and ends when 30,000 subscribers are reached on a first-come, first-served basis.
Customers who have changed their Apple iPhone devices four or more times at KT, known as ‘iPhone Mania’ customers, receive additional benefits. Among ‘iPhone Mania’ customers who pre-order the iPhone 13 on KT Shop, 1,300 will be selected by lottery to receive delivery on the launch day. Customers residing in the Seoul area can receive their devices early morning on the launch day through midnight delivery, while customers in other regions will receive same-day delivery.
Benefits are also provided for customers in their teens and twenties who frequently use iPhones. For 5G Y Teen plan users (teens) who are new or changing devices, the basic data is doubled until the 6th month after subscribing to the plan. With a selected contract discount, users can enjoy unlimited-level data of 20GB + 1Mbps (speed throttling) at a monthly fee in the 30,000 KRW range. Customers in their twenties (aged 18-29) who use Shinhan Bank automatic transfer receive cashback benefits of up to 48,000 KRW. New Shinhan Bank customers get a 4,000 KRW monthly discount for 12 months, and existing customers get a 2,000 KRW monthly discount for 12 months.
KT Apple AS Centers also offer repair cost discounts for the iPhone 13. Customers who activate their iPhone 13 by October 13 can receive up to a 30% discount (20% KT Membership discount + 10% Apple event discount) plus an additional 10,000 KRW discount until the end of next year. Additionally, to improve convenience for insurance users, the simplified insurance claim process is being expanded from the existing 19 KT Apple AS Centers to include 30 Winia AS Centers. KT customers using these AS Centers can receive insurance payments without separate compensation claim procedures.
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