In South Korea, Samsung Galaxy S8 fell to $180

The first week of may was very hot for South Korean operators. Local shops have fallen off the price of the flagship smartphone Samsung Galaxy S8, several times exceeding the permitted volume of subsidy at the conclusion of the contract with SK Telecom, KT and LG U+. The gadget with an “infinite display” can be purchased cheaper than 200 000 Korean won, equivalent to $177. Information about the attraction of unprecedented generosity quickly spread on the network, and in just six days, the operator was replaced by 120 thousand subscribers.

Why did this happen?

In connection with the may holidays, the communications Commission of Korea ceased to track new connections to the operators after 30 April, and the sellers decided to take this break. The usual price of the Samsung Galaxy S8 on a 64 GB is about $825. With all the subsidies in the design of the contract, the flagship can be bought for $665, but in early may, prices went down sharply. The Agency is already taking action to curb the illegal activities of the stores, but the upcoming presidential elections on 9 may bring additional confusion.

The current favorite in the presidential election in South Korea is moon Jae-In, representing the opposition Democratic party Tobaro. Previously, he promised to increase the size of subsidies for mobile operators.

It gave the operators?

Peak connections came in last Wednesday, when the contract is issued more than 28 thousand people. Most subscribers attracted LG U+, on the second place is KT, the country’s largest operator SK Telecom, by contrast, has lost part of clients. Prices tariffs in South Korea begins at about $25-30 per month and go up to $80-90, so for the duration of the contract operators will have to “recapture” the costs of subsidizing the Samsung Galaxy S8.

Sources: Korea Times, Yonhap