Samsung Electronics strengthens benefits for its Galaxy subscription service. Samsung Electronics said on Sunday it will release an upgraded version of the "New Galaxy AI Subscription Club". Customers can sign up starting with buyers of the newly unveiled unlocked Galaxy S series models.

It added a 3-year plan to its existing 1-year and 2-year options. The 3-year plan costs 8,900 won a month and provides 36 months of "Samsung Care Plus Loss and Damage" coverage. If customers return the device after 3 years of use, they are guaranteed a residual value of 25 percent of the Samsung.com reference price. The 1-year and 2-year plans provide the "Samsung Care Plus Smartphone Damage+" product.

"Samsung Care Plus Smartphone Loss and Damage" supports loss compensation, damage compensation, free repairs, battery replacement and on-site repair services during the subscription period. Loss compensation is available once a year and carries a 25 percent deductible. Damage compensation is unlimited in amount, with a 25 percent deductible applied.

Monthly fees for the 1-year and 2-year plans for customers signing up with the new Galaxy S series are 6,900 won. Since the service was launched in January last year, 1 in 5 customers who bought an unlocked flagship model signed up. It offered a residual value guarantee of up to 50 percent when returning a used device, the Samsung Care Plus Smartphone Damage+ product, and discounts on mobile accessories.

It also added compensation for cyber financial crimes and internet fraud. All customers on the 1-year, 2-year and 3-year plans will be compensated up to 3 million won for 피해 from cyber financial crimes such as phishing, smishing, hacking and pharming, and up to 500,000 won for fraud in direct online transactions or shopping malls. There is no deductible for cyber financial crime losses. For direct online transactions and shopping mall fraud, the deductible is the larger of 20 percent of the loss amount or 100,000 won.

Subscribers can return devices after using them for the contract period, including devices with everyday scratches. Devices that do not power on, have external damage or have not had accounts removed are excluded. During the subscription period, subscribers can use a "Samsung Care Plus dedicated counter" at Samsung Electronics service centres for priority repair registration and service, with no limit on the number of times. Even if customers keep using the device without returning it after the subscription period ends, they can maintain Samsung Care Plus benefits for up to 4 years if they want.

Jeong Ho-jin (정호진), a vice president at Samsung Electronics' Korea business division, said the revamped "New Galaxy AI Subscription Club" expands choices and coverage to provide more benefits to customers. He said the company will continue to advance its subscription services in line with the changing smartphone usage environment and customer needs.