Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Enigma]

Let me start by saying that I know nothing about smartphones.
I've been with LG for about 2 years, and I think the Samsung phone I have is on its last legs (it's a used replacement I bought after my original was stolen). Regardless of whether or not it can be repaired, I hate it as it's extremely user unfriendly and every time I use it I want to smash it against the wall.
Although I almost never use my phone, I'm thinking of getting a smartphone mainly for the ease of use and because I'd like to be able to use it as an mp3 player as well. I'd also probably want to put a few apps on there, mainly for learning languages.
Unfortunately I live in a small city nowhere near Seoul so I can't just pop into an outlet and get help in English. I checked out LG Telecom's website, but their English info is very limited.
What I'm wondering is, is it possible to get an older/discontinued model through LG for fairly cheap? I don't really care what brand it is as long as it's got a decent mp3 player and is easy-to-use. I would prefer a phone I could pay cash for, rather than getting some big contract. I currently pay a little over 10,000 won a month because I use it so infrequently, and would like to keep the same contract if possible.
Also, I may be in Seoul on one of the weekends coming up. I originally got my phone through the Seoul Global Centre. If I end up going into Seoul, is that my best bet?

Thanks for any suggestions

[nick70100]

There are a few thing to consider here...

First, LG phones can't be used outside of Korea, at least not easily (no SIM cards), but SK and KT phones can. I don't know how long you plan to stay in Korea, but that could affect your decision if you're going to buy an expensive phone and would like to use it after you leave.

Second, if you want to buy the phone up front rather than getting a contract or payment plan you should probably forget about buying a new phone from LG, even if it is an older model. The problem is that the older phones don't really come down in price much at all. I don't know why this is the case in Korea, but it happens all the time. For a quick example. The Galaxy S2 (top of the line phone in Korea at the moment) currently costs 847,000 to buy from LG. The Galaxy U (last years model, pretty much completely outclassed by the S2) costs 799,000. The Optimus Q (which is even older than the Galaxy U) costs 899,000! It makes no sense to me why they don't lower the prices on these older phones, but they don't. You would really have to be a fool to buy anything other than the Galaxy S2 right now if you're planning to pay up front for a new phone without a contract. I guess you have to remember that smart phones didn't really catch on in Korea until last year... The older models aren't really that old. Your best option in my opinion is to buy a used phone. Check out a website like www.cetizen.com where people sell used phones. You may need to get korean to help you if your Korean isn't good, but you can save a lot of money this way. You could also try to find a new phone from a third party seller, but forget about buying directly from LG.

The last thing you mentioned is that you want to keep your 10,000/month plan. This is probably possible, but only if you don't use any data/internet (one of the main attractions of smart phones). The least expensive data plan from LG is 35,000/month and it'll give you 1 gb of data.

[Enigma]

Thanks for the reply, Nick.
Wow, I can't believe there's no depreciation on the older model smartphones. I wonder why that is. But there's no way I'm paying 900,000 won for a phone, regardless of whether it's up front or on a contract.
I'll check out that website and see if I can find something suitable.

[2556375]

What other countries can SK and KT mobile phones be used in?

[thurst]

the thing about smartphones not really depreciating isn't specific to korea. in the US for some reason you want to buy a new phone outright you'll end up paying close to whatever the MSRP was when it was released regardless of how it's been out.

[lomead]

Hi, I know there has been a lapse in this thread, but I am also looking for a secondhand smartphone. My Korean friend and I tried to register me on Cetizen.com with my arc card number and it wouldnt let me! I tried different configurations of my name in english and a couple in hangul, but the name verification button wouldnt even click......... Is there a trick to it? Thanks for any help you can give!

[allan of asia]

most likely it doesnt recognise ARC numbers as you will start with a 5 or 6 and not a 1 or 2 like koreans.

i havent visited it, so if it does have an option for non korean citizen registration, try your name in English in capitals without spaces, that often works.

Lotte Cinema is one of the worst offenders to refuse ARC nos instead of 주민번호 its why i go to CGV!