'iPhone 18 Pro' Launched in Korea... Three Major Carriers Pour Out Benefits to Compete for Subscribers

[Financial News] The three major telecommunications companies—SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus—have officially launched Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max and are engaging in a battle to attract customers. During pre-orders, demand was concentrated on the relatively smaller iPhone 18 Pro, while the Silver and 256GB models were equally popular.
Telecom carriers are vying to capture demand for new products by offering various benefits, ranging from AI service subscriptions to discounts on Apple devices and trade-ins for used phones.
SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus simultaneously began activating iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max pre-order customers on the 18th and commenced general sales.
Pre-order results showed a strong preference for the iPhone 18 Pro. At KT, the Pro model accounted for approximately 70% of total reservations, while the proportion of the Pro reached 79.7% on LG Uplus's official online store. SK Telecom also stated that the Pro received more interest than the Pro Max. In terms of color, Silver was generally dominant, and the 256GB model was the most popular choice at KT and LG Uplus.

SK Telecom has put AI and content subscription benefits front and center. All customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone by the 18th of next month will receive a two-month subscription to T Uzoo's 'Google AI Plus (400GB)' and a four-month subscription to Tving Ad-supported Standard.
Through Google AI Plus, you can use Gemini, the AI ​​image generation and editing model 'Nano Banana', Notebook LM Pro, Google Drive 400GB, and more.
T Direct Shop offers up to 1.27 million won in compensation when trading in your old used phone through 'T Safe Compensation with Mintit'. You can also receive a discount of up to 840,000 won by using an affiliated card.
Bundling benefits with Apple devices are also available. If you choose the smart device installment discount on certain plans, you can receive a monthly discount of 12,000 to 24,000 won on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, etc.
We also operate a 'Family Phone Sharing' service that provides benefits such as data coupons and free family roaming to customers who pass on their existing smartphones to children aged 13 or younger.

KT is promoting rate discounts and benefits such as cloud services and device care to online customers. If you activate a service at the KT Direct Shop, you can receive a discount of up to 32% by combining a 25% selective contract rate discount with an exclusive 7% discount. Interest-free installments for up to 12 months are also available if you pay with a Hyundai Card under an individual's name.
Customers who order and activate a new iPhone will receive 12 months of free iCloud+ 200GB and a package of four accessories. If they trade in their used phone, they will receive up to an additional 50,000 won on top of the existing market value.
A dedicated device care product for the iPhone 18 series was also introduced. 'PhoneCare_i18 Plus/Damage' provides coverage for loss, theft, and damage, as well as coverage for damage to a second device and phone replacement and repair services. If you subscribe to 'PhoneChange_i18' for 5,000 won per month, you can receive up to 50% of the original retail price at the time of subscription when returning your old device after two years.
KT explains that when combining discounts and cashback based on affiliate card usage, you can receive benefits of up to approximately 1.44 million won.
LG Uplus has focused on trade-in benefits for used phones and bundled benefits with Apple devices. If you trade in your existing phone and purchase an iPhone 18 Pro series at the official U+ online store, you will receive an additional 50,000 won in Naver Pay on top of the trade-in value. If you select the 'Shopping Coupon Pack,' you can also receive shopping benefits worth up to 180,000 won over two years.
LG Uplus also operates a 'Trade-in Pass' that guarantees the value of the existing device when replacing it with a new iPhone after two years. The monthly fee is 5,000 won, and if you upgrade to a successor iPhone at LG Uplus 24 months after purchasing the iPhone 18 and return the existing device, you will receive compensation of up to 50% of the original retail price at the time of purchase.
Benefits have also been prepared for customers who use Apple devices. Subscribers to the 'Apple Device Plus Plan 105' or higher can receive a full discount on the 24-month installment payments for AirPods 4. Depending on the subscribed plan and selected device, customers can also choose installment discounts for AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch SE3, AirPods Max 2, and more.
15,000 customers who activate an iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max and sign up for U+ Membership will be selected through a lottery to receive a free 300-minute trial of the AI ​​meeting minutes service 'Tiro'.

[email protected] Yoon Hong-jib, Choi Hye-rim Reporter