Just Three Months After Release... Galaxy Z Fold3 Official Subsidy Jumps 3x, Up to 625,000 KRW

[Asia Economy Reporter Joselgina] The official subsidy for Samsung Electronics' new foldable smartphone, the 'Galaxy Z Fold3,' has increased to a maximum of 620,000 KRW. This is the first upward adjustment since its launch in August, with the subsidy amount tripling.

According to the industry on the 23rd, the three mobile carriers SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus simultaneously raised the official subsidy for the Z Fold3 as of this date.

SK Telecom increased the subsidy for the Z Fold3 by plan from 100,000-170,000 KRW to 300,000-625,000 KRW. KT raised it from a maximum of 170,000 KRW to 600,000 KRW, and LG Uplus increased it from a maximum of 230,000 KRW to 617,000 KRW. Compared to the launch period, the subsidy amount has surged threefold. When combined with additional subsidies from distribution channels, consumers can purchase the Z Fold3 starting from around 1.2 million KRW.

The retail price of the Z Fold3 remains unchanged. The retail price for the 256GB model is 1,998,700 KRW. It was the first in the Z Fold series to launch in the 1 million KRW range. It features a large 7.6-inch screen and is the first foldable phone to support the S Pen. On this day, KT and LG Uplus also raised the official subsidy for the 512GB model, priced in the 2 million KRW range, to a maximum of 600,000 KRW and 617,000 KRW, respectively.

This subsidy increase is interpreted as part of an aggressive marketing effort to accelerate the 'popularization of foldable phones' ahead of the year-end shopping season. The official subsidy is a combination of smartphone manufacturer and carrier subsidies and is set differently according to each company's sales strategy.

The new foldable phone 'Galaxy Z Flip3,' which was released alongside the Z Fold3 in the second half of this year and gained popularity, was not included in this subsidy increase. SK Telecom and KT maintain the maximum subsidy of 500,000 KRW set at launch. LG Uplus slightly raised the official subsidy for the Z Flip3 from 500,000 KRW to 559,000 KRW earlier this month.