Specialized in Waterproof and Dustproof... Differentiated Content and Child Protection Features
Approximate 300,000 KRW Release Price... Pre-order and Online Shop Events
[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Mobile carriers are launching three kids' phones with enhanced waterproof and dustproof features ahead of the school entrance and start of the semester season. Samsung Electronics' rugged smartphone, which maximizes durability, has been reborn as a customized smartphone for active children.
Affordable price around 300,000 KRW
On the 14th, the three major carriers unveiled a new lineup of kids' phones based on Samsung Electronics' ‘Galaxy XCover5’ model. These include SK Telecom’s ‘ZEM Kkureogi Phone,’ KT’s ‘Shinbi Kids Phone 2,’ and LG Uplus’s ‘U+ Kids Phone with Little Kakao Friends.’ As these are kids' phones, the prices are set affordably between 292,000 and 322,000 KRW.
The new model, XCover5, is Samsung’s entry-level rugged smartphone. It features a compact 134.8mm (5.3-inch) HD+ display for enhanced portability and has IP68 waterproof and dustproof capabilities. It is equipped with Gorilla Glass 6, which is resistant to scratches and shocks, and a removable 3000mAh battery. The AP specification is Exynos 850, and the front and rear cameras have 5MP and 16MP resolutions, respectively.
SK Telecom’s ZEM Kkureogi Phone comes pre-installed with the ‘ZEM’ application, a child care software. It allows management of smartphone app lists and usage time, and provides information on the child’s location and fine dust levels. The ‘ReadingN’ app, which contains 207 English books, and the ‘Ilpro Calculation’ app are also provided free for one year. The package includes accessories such as a crossbody bag and a jelly case.
KT’s Shinbi Kids Phone 2 differentiates itself with characters from the popular animation ‘Shinbi Apartment.’ In addition to Shinbi and Geumbi, a new theme featuring Jubi has been added. The phone also includes the ‘Shinbi Study Friend’ app to help children develop study habits. Buyers receive a DIY Jibbitz case and necklace strap, four Shinbi character Jibbitz, and a six-month subscription to the English vocabulary learning app ‘Lido Voca.’
LG Uplus’s U+ Kids Phone with Little Kakao Friends is the company’s fifth kids’ phone emphasizing Kakao Friends characters. It features the child protection app ‘Kiwi Play Plus (+)’ and a ‘Record Book’ function where children can log and share reading and allowance activities. All buyers receive a six-month free course for ‘Siwon School Super Kids,’ access to the ‘Siwon School AI Tutor,’ and a ‘Smart Tag’ for location tracking.
New plans launched... abundant events from the three carriers
By using 5G and LTE junior plans for children that offer family bundle discounts and enhanced voice call benefits, users can tailor their usage to their preferences. KT also launched three exclusive plans for children under 12 on the same day as the device release. When subscribing to a junior plan, customers can use the ‘KT Safety Box’ free of charge for 3,300 KRW per month. LG Uplus introduced five 5G and LTE kids’ plans that allow children to use educational content without worrying about data charges.
There are also plentiful launch events. SK Telecom offers pre-order customers at the T Direct Shop until the 20th a choice of one gift among a ‘Kakao stationery set,’ ‘Robofish (underwater fish robot),’ ‘Cotton Candy (slime),’ or a Bluetooth microphone. KT is running a prize recommendation event at the KT Shop, giving away items such as the ‘Galaxy Tab S7,’ ‘Shinbi bicycle,’ and ‘Ghost Ball Double x Satoryong set’ by lottery, and the first 100 customers receive a ‘Shinbi package’ including board games.
LG Uplus is giving away a total of 2,022 tickets to ‘Legoland Korea’ by lottery to customers who post SNS verifications using the U+ Kids Phone. At offline stores, the first 20,000 customers who make a reservation and visit the store will receive a 5,000 KRW Shinsegae gift certificate. Legal guardians purchasing a foldable phone after buying a kids’ phone will receive a Mickey Mouse wireless charger worth about 40,000 KRW. Additionally, U Shop offers a 7% extra discount on plans when purchasing a kids’ phone, a free accessory, and a free subscription to the ‘Jjaekak Crocodile’ app.
Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics is also selling an unlocked version of the XCover5 model to meet demand from adult customers who enjoy outdoor hobbies. The unlocked model is a product purchased directly by customers at retail stores without going through a carrier. It is priced at 275,000 KRW and comes in two colors: black and white.
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