[DigitalToday reporter Jin-ho Lee (이진호)] South Korea's three mobile carriers have finished pre-orders for Samsung Electronics' new foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8, and have started activating devices.

SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus will carry out early activation for the Galaxy Z8 series from Aug. 4 through nationwide stores and official online malls. The official release date is Aug. 7.

In this pre-order round, preference for the Galaxy Z Fold8, which combines a large screen with portability, stood out. SKT, KT and LG Uplus all recorded the highest share of reservations for the Fold8.

At SKT, the number of pre-order customers for the Galaxy Z8 series increased from the previous model. The share of customers in their 20s to 40s was 65 percent, up about 10 percentage points from the previous model. The share of existing conventional smartphone users who reserved a foldable phone was also 62 percent, up 10 percentage points from the previous model.

SKT will give 10,000 won in Naver Pay points through Aug. 31 to customers who sign up for a Netflix plan on the new foldable phones and link their accounts. It is also running prize events including a Jeju Island trip, a styling experience voucher and entry to the "Infinite Challenge Run in Gyeongju" event.

Customers who return a used phone will receive compensation of up to 1 million won depending on the model and condition. It is also running partnered card discounts and a "family phone sharing" program that provides benefits such as data and roaming when parents hand down their devices to their children.

KT also said pre-orders for the Galaxy Z8 series rose sharply from the previous model. The Galaxy Z Fold8 accounted for more than half of total pre-orders, making it the most preferred of the three models.

KT revamped its "Choice Double" plan, which combines over-the-top video services and device benefits, in line with the launch of the new foldable phones. It expanded the product lineup so customers can use YouTube Premium Lite and Netflix ad-supported Standard together, or receive discounts on second devices such as Galaxy Buds and a watch.

It is also offering KT Phone Care, which covers damage to devices, tablets and watches, and a Phone Change service that guarantees up to 50 percent of the list price when returning an existing device. Customers using partnered cards can receive up to 1,422,000 won in discounts and cashback benefits depending on conditions.

KT's direct online shop offers plan-specific discounts, interest-free installments and cashback. It is also running events offering hotel stay vouchers and gift certificates to customers who sign up for Choice plans. It will also begin activating Galaxy Z series devices for pre-order customers at around 260 KT Plaza stores nationwide.

LG Uplus said customers responded strongly to U+ official online store-only benefits in this pre-order round. The usage rate of immediate discount coupons at pre-order rose 40 percent from across the series. The share of customers using long-term interest-free installments from Samsung Card of 24 months or 36 months or longer was also tallied as up 12 percent.

LG Uplus analyzed that various purchase-support programs, including online-only discount coupons, interest-free installments and additional compensation for used phones, contributed to easing customers' burden in buying devices.

An LG Uplus official said, "We plan to continue expanding tailored benefits and purchase-support programs so customers can feel the value of the latest devices even more."