SKT exclusively launches Galaxy Note trade-in program
An SK Telecom model promotes its “T Galaxy Club” handset trade-in service. The nation’s leading mobile carrier introduced the service Wednesday for Galaxy Note 7 users. The service, costing 9,900 won ($9) a month, allows users to buy the 5.7-inch Samsung phablet on a two-year installment plan and get the new series next year without paying the remaining installments. / Courtsy of SK Telecom
By Lee Min-hyung
SK Telecom has launched a handset trade-in service, T Galaxy Club, in its bid to induce customer loyalty for the Galaxy Note series.
SKT said Wednesday that users buying a Galaxy Note 7 on a two-year installment plan can get the next model in 2017 without paying the remaining installments.
Rival mobile carriers ― KT and LG Uplus ― said they are still having internal talks over introducing similar services, but declined to comment about the details for specific launch dates.
The T Galaxy Club subscribers can enjoy the Galaxy trade-in service by paying 9,900 won ($9) monthly. The service also includes an insurance program under which SK Telecom pays for 70 percent of repair fees for a broken device.
“We launched the T Galaxy Club in a bid to meet growing needs from loyal Galaxy users who are likely to select new models,” Im Bong-ho, senior vice president at SK Telecom, said in a statement. “We expect the program to dramatically reduce the financial burden for loyal Galaxy users.”
In March, Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy Club program, as part of its marketing strategy to build a strong customer base for its flagship Galaxy series. Last year, Apple also launched a similar trade-in service, the iPhone Upgrade Program.