[Edaily Reporter Yun Junghoon ] South Korea’s three major mobile carriers are launching large-scale pre-order promotions ahead of the release of Apple’s next-generation flagship smartphones, the “iPhone 18 Pro” and “iPhone 18 Pro Max.” Pre-orders will begin at 9:00 p.m. on the 12th via official online stores and retail locations nationwide, with official activation and release set for the 18th.

To coincide with the launch of these new products, SKTelecom(017670), KTCorporation(030200), and #LGU+ are mobilizing all available marketing resources, including device discount coupons, additional trade-in incentives, financial benefits through partner credit cards, AirPods bundles, and AI service subscriptions. However, since the benefit structures and discount application methods vary significantly among carriers, a meticulous comparison of each item is essential for consumers to lower the actual purchase price they will pay.

Competition Over Delivery Guarantees… “Secure Activation on Launch Day”

To secure pre-order customers, the three major carriers have made same-day delivery and activation guarantees their top priority.

SKT is accepting pre-orders from 9:00 PM on the 12th through the 17th and guarantees delivery on the official launch date, the 18th, to customers who complete their applications by noon on the 15th via its official online store, “T Direct Shop.”

KTCorporation will also begin pre-orders at 9:00 PM on the 12th and offer guaranteed same-day delivery on the launch date to customers who pre-ordered during the first round on the KTCorporation Direct Shop.

LGU+ plans to absorb initial demand for activation by offering a “Morning Delivery” service through its “U+ Official Online Store,” allowing customers who pre-order to receive their devices first thing in the morning on the launch date.

SKT and LG Corp. Offer 150,000–180,000 Won Compensation for Trading in Your Old Phone

For customers looking to directly lower the initial cost of purchasing a device, the benefits offered by SKT and LG Corp.’s official online stores are particularly useful.

SKT is offering discount vouchers redeemable toward device purchases through the “Lucky Roulette” event on T Direct Shop. Depending on storage capacity, customers can receive vouchers worth up to 200,000 won for 256GB and 512GB models, and up to 300,000 won for 1TB and 2TB models.

In addition, customers trading in their old devices can receive up to 1.22 million won in trade-in value for a Grade A iPhone 17 Pro 256GB, and can earn up to an additional 150,000 won through the “MinTit ALL Reward” and “Additional Reward for Used Phones” programs. Targeting consumers who prefer large storage capacities, SKT is exclusively selling the iPhone 18 Pro 2TB model through the T Direct Shop.

LGU+ is offering device discount coupons worth up to 200,000 won to customers who pre-order and activate their devices through the U+ Official Online Store. Additionally, if customers trade in their old phones upon purchase, they will receive an additional compensation benefit of up to 180,000 won on top of the standard used phone market value.

In contrast, KTCorporation has opted to maximize service plan discounts rather than offering temporary device discount coupons. Customers who sign up through the KTCorporation Direct Shop can enjoy up to a 32% discount on their service plan by combining the standard 25% discount for a two-year contract with an additional 7% Direct Shop-exclusive discount.

Up to 1.44 million won in benefits through partner card discounts and cashback

Users who can meet a certain monthly spending threshold should take note of the partnership card discount program.

KTCorporation has introduced a “Double Discount” program that allows users to utilize two partner cards simultaneously. When using the “KTCorporation Installment Plus KB Kookmin Card” and the “KTCorporation Family Satisfaction Installment Shinhan Card” together, customers receive up to approximately 1.29 million won in service and device discounts over 24 months. Combined with 150,000 won in cashback from each card issuer, this results in total financial benefits of up to approximately 1.44 million won. (Subject to meeting conditions such as a monthly spending requirement of 700,000 won)

SKT has introduced 36-month interest-free installment plans for the first time for iPhone buyers who pay with a Hyundai Card. When paying in installments with an SKT-Hyundai co-branded card, customers can receive a monthly discount of 15,000 won for 24 months, plus a popular coupon pack worth 34,000 won, for a total benefit of up to 1.18 million won.

LGU+ also offers interest-free installment plans of up to 36 months for payments made with SAMSUNG CARD CO., LTD. or Hyundai Card, and provides up to 100,000 won in cashback to SAMSUNG CARD CO., LTD. users who meet specific conditions.

Each company is also launching a new trade-in program that guarantees the residual value of the device when upgrading to the next model after two years.

LGU+’s “Compensation Pass” (5,000 won per month) reimburses up to 50% of the original retail price when you return your device and upgrade to a new model two years after purchase. Notably, if you sign up for the “iPhone Compensation Pass Plus Plan 105” or a higher-tier plan by December 31, this monthly fee will be fully waived. Additionally, customers who sign up for the “Phone Replacement Pass”—which offers unlimited repairs based on Apple Care—will receive a MagSafe power bank as a gift.

KTCorporation’s “Phone Change_i18” (5,000 won per month) also offers the same benefit of guaranteeing up to 50% of the original purchase price upon return after two years, and it operates in conjunction with the “365 Phone Care” program, which covers device loss, damage, and repair services.

From T1-signed cases to AI service subscriptions… A competition for unique giveaways

Competition is also fierce among telecom carriers over giveaways and value-added services that reflect their brand identities.

SKT is targeting sports and esports fans. For customers who pre-register and activate their service, the company will hold a raffle to award prizes such as autographed baseballs and collectible packages from professional baseball players, invitations to Garmin Run events, and exclusive cases autographed by T1 esports players. Additionally, to enhance the usability of AI features, the company is providing a 2-month “Google AI Plus” subscription and a 4-month ad-supported TVING Standard subscription to all customers who complete activation by October 18.

LGU+ highlighted the “AI Call Answering” feature—which uses the actual voices of members from the K-pop group “BOYNEXTDOOR”—and a real-time voice phishing detection feature in its AI calling app, “ixi-O.” Purchasing customers will be entered into a drawing to win prizes such as an LG StandbyMe2 Max, a Bolak robot vacuum, and invitations to Hwadam Forest.

To mark the 10th anniversary of the launch of its brand “Y,” designed exclusively for people in their 20s, KTCorporation is holding a raffle to give 2,000 “Y-Dum” customers aged 19 to 34 a limited-edition merchandise package consisting of a Monami Signature ballpoint pen and a MagSafe GripTac, among other items. The first 1,000 customers to port their numbers to KTCorporation will receive a 50,000-won Casetify gift card.

A telecommunications industry official stated, “Since all carriers’ promotions are subject to detailed terms and conditions—such as mandatory retention periods for high-priced plans, minimum monthly credit card spending requirements, and the condition of returned used phones—customers must double-check the actual benefits tailored to their usage patterns on each carrier’s official website before submitting their final subscription application.”