Foreigners and iPhone in Korea
UPDATE: Lots of information posted in the comments section below….
It’s As If Foreigners Aren’t Human in the Korean iPhone World…….
Question: Can foreigners buy the iPhone in Korea?
Answer: Yes, for some of us.
I know the hot topic for us is whether or not foreigners will be able to buy the iPhone in Korea. A lot of us already felt cheated by the fact that we couldn’t even apply to be one of the 1,000 lottery winners to purchase the iPhone this past weekend.
So, I’ve looked all over, and spoke with some reps at KT. This is what they told me:
The Foreigner Guideline
-If you are a foreigner, you need a visa.
-If you have an E-2 visa, you cannot get the iPhone in Korea.
-If you have an F-2 or an F-4 visa, you can get the iPhone in Korea.
Are You Serious?
So, basically, this means if you are a foreigner, you need to be married to a Korean or you need to be a 교포 gyopo. You may have to get creative with one of your Korean friends in order to get the iPhone in Korea.
Some of you may be shaking your head. This may seem unfair, or feel like downright discrimination, but these are the facts. I’m assuming the reasoning behind this is that since this phone comes with a 2 year contract, they don’t want foreigner iPhone buyers to bail on KT halfway through their contracts.
I’m curious to see if KT will offer perhaps 1 year contracts with a higher purchase price for the iPhone, or maybe the option of just buying the iPhone for 800,000 won upfront.
I know, it sucks.
November 29th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
When I bought my phone in Japan they said I had to pay for the phone up front to get it cuz my visa was going to expire 8 months later.
November 29th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Thought you might like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikaphoto/4142516861
November 29th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Apparently, foreigners will be able to buy the iphone for the higher price. I’ve also seen (now removed) a pricing chart specifically for foreigners, so it’s not like people on an E-2 visa will never be able to get one… However, I think Show won’t have those pricing plans set in stone yet for another month or so.
It really amazes me how unprepared Show was for foreigners… They should have already had plans in place to meet the demand. Were they really that clueless??? If so, then I seriously think that somebody needs to be fired/demoted for this oversight.
November 29th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Thanks for the info.
Probably, as it’s common here, the story would change depending who you taked to.
I’ve told that everyone except a E-2 visa holder can buy the iPhone. Those have never been able to buy a subsidized cell phone (applied when data plans are taken into account).
November 29th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Well, I think I am going to propose to my korean girl friend… i finally got a good reason for.
November 29th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I was curious but if you have an iphone from the u.s. can you use that by buying a sim card or do you still need to sign up for a 2 yr contract with the help of a korean of course
November 29th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
In the long run, folks might be better off getting the unsubsidized iPhone. Even the smallest plan is going to end up costing nearly $1,500 over the two years (inc. tax/fees). I’m going to guess that a non-iPhone plan could be had for an unsubsidized phone for a lot less. You would likely have a few hundred over the term of the contract (and more if you consider an average 3-year turn over for most casual users).
It’s going to take a little time to shake out, but I bet alternatives will begin shaping up (both in terms of the company and people finding loopholes) around the start of the new year. I’d appreciate seeing any information that does emerge here.
November 29th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
I’m a gyopo here on an F-4 visa. I just got back from both Frisbee and Show and they gave me the same info, which I’m guessing means it’s correct.
-I can buy an iPhone with a 12-month contract if I pay cash up front. I cannot sign up for monthly installment payments.
-I cannot enroll in one of the special iPhone rate plans, so I must sign up for a “regular” rate plan and pay-as-I-go for data, minutes, text messages, etc.
-The discounts on price of the phone that apply to those signing a 2-year contract with one of the special iPhone rate plans do not apply to me, so the phone price is something like 700,000 won.
Honestly, I guess it makes sense because I had been planning on getting one of the discounts for a 2-year contract and then just bailing and not paying my bill any more when it came time to leave the country. Also, I’m surprised they’ll even let me sign a one-year contract given that my visa expires in 8 months and, technically, I have no legal right to be in the country after it expires… (of course, I could always apply for an extension, but for the time being, my status is set to expire before the contract term would end…)
I’m not sure if what I posted applies to E-2 visa holders, but when I asked the Frisbee/Show people for the information, they didn’t make any mention of a different set of policies for E-2 visa holders.
November 29th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Yes, those on E2 can buy iPhone 1 year contract as long as they pay cash up front.
Those on F-visa can get 2 year contract if they have Korean credit card, and non-teaching job.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Practicboy,
Thanks for the info. I was told that E-2 visa holders cannot buy the iPhone. It does make sense that E-2 holders can have an iPhone if they buy one upfront.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Dan,
I think you’re right, there will be alternatives popping up. It’d be nice if KT offered at least a partial subsidy for foreigners that don’t have 2 year visas.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Jesse,
I highly doubt that you’ll be able to simply buy a sim card to insert into your US iPhone. It’s never been possible before. Who knows, maybe they’ll open up the network to allow for foreign purchased iPhones. That sounds just too easy!
November 30th, 2009 at 12:31 am
@bulgogi
Ha ha….
November 30th, 2009 at 12:31 am
bulgogi: hilarious. i too contemplated the benefits of such an endeavor.
jesse: i second your question.
dan: i too will be waiting to see what happens.
in other news, just though you all may be interested in this. rumors of a new iPhone coming in 2010? it seems the stars are aligning again for just that…
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/11/29/evidence_of_new_apples_iphone_model_maps_application_uncovered.html
November 30th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Ian,
It is disappointing to find all these barriers for foreigners. What’s most disappointing is that they don’t offer much of an explanation to why they have these policies for foreigners, or what they have planned as far as future iPhone options for foreigners.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Max-
What is that?
November 30th, 2009 at 12:36 am
David,
Sounds like they’ll have a similar policy here in Korea.
November 30th, 2009 at 3:46 am
Ok thanks,
It’s funny how a foreign company (Apple) HQ in California is selling a phone in a foreign country to people who have been waiting for many months for this phone to be released in their country and yet us foreigners who are from the country that want to give them a product that will meet their needs can get the same fair experience…
November 30th, 2009 at 4:02 am
Yes! My Korean girlfriend ordered one for me already under her name.
KT should really have made this clear to ‘foreigners’ what the policy is. I can understand why they won’t sell the normal plans to E-2 Visa holders, but they should make sure they know they can pay more upfront to offset the second year subsidy.
November 30th, 2009 at 5:32 am
i meant can not get the same experience…
November 30th, 2009 at 9:28 am
my question is if i got a phone at the price stated by practiceboy, is the year contract required or could i just get it as pay as you go?
November 30th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
@Jesse
Yeah it’s a shame we can’t even use our iPhones with a Korean SIM card now that Korean can buy the iPhone, where’s the logic in that?
December 1st, 2009 at 12:31 am
I am wondering what the rules are for military.. I am here for 2 years on Military orders and would love the iPhone… so if someone could get that info that would be great.. they try to push those pay as you go phones on us and i just simply don’t want that and would much rather not have to deal with a korean marriage so if you could let me know that would be much appreciated.
December 1st, 2009 at 4:27 am
This is not related with the iPhone and foreigners but I haven’t found a topic for it.
Have anyone tried to pre-order the iPhone and keep the old number from another company?
I don’t understand the point of offering that possibility on the web where you pre-order it and later having to go to personally to a KT place (not all of them are OK: there is a list included in the iPhone package) to activate the phone. Besides, there was no info about the procedure in these cases. I thought there will be a phone number where you could activate it once it arrived. No instructions. After a few calls, I have discovered I have to go personally to one of the places listed. Gee!
December 1st, 2009 at 4:45 am
Paul,
Let us know when you get your iPhone!
December 1st, 2009 at 5:09 am
@ TBailey,
I am military as well however, i’m here for another 14 months and when i leave i dont feel like paying an overseas bill for 8 months. since you will b here for 2 years my best recommendation is befriend a katusa and have him get one for you and pay him directly. thats what i did to get my wibro and we work in the same place so i give 30,000 won a month and he pays it! totally worth me not having to pay 120,000 for the router itself. thats my recommendation and i would do that again myself but as explained earlier i dont want a hanging bill for 8 months so ill probably wait.
December 1st, 2009 at 5:13 am
Jose Maria Areta,
This is the same procedure used in the US. You can order the Iphone on Apple’s website but you need to go to an Apple store to get it activated, same as AT&T, Best Buy, etc. Only reason is because you need that 2 year contract. When I first got my Iphone 2 years ago I actually paid $600 and I activated it at home, they changed this with the release of the Iphone 3G. Hope this helps kinda.
December 1st, 2009 at 5:15 am
I feel everything regarding mobile in korea is the shit left from other countries. Buying phone by foreigner is like asking for a NASA satellite. What a korean shit. I am on E2 and i cant buy 2 mobiles in korea. Fuxxxk with them.
Now i am reading all this iphone nonsense for foreigners. This not a country to live. Its planet of Apes on Earth. I am just counting my days to return.
December 1st, 2009 at 5:15 am
I hope soon people come to jailbreak the Iphone and make it come to work in Korea by buying just a SIM, the same way in the US where people got it to work with T-Mobile and Verizon instead of AT&T.
December 1st, 2009 at 5:18 am
Gus is the iphone available in English ? or only korean…
December 1st, 2009 at 5:22 am
I think KT will put all their menu and UI over iPhone and spoil it as like SK telecom. All the phones I brought have same SMS design if it is samsung or LG. Ya… these two companies really screw this country by their political influence..They don’t allow any competitor…I hope iPhone looks like iPhone and not all KT telecoms menus and design..
December 1st, 2009 at 5:28 am
foreigners here are like a shit.. guys go back to your countries..
December 1st, 2009 at 5:29 am
@ Sameer
I doubt i really love Apple’s products and i bet they wouldnt allow that and when you buy the iphone it’ll probably come in korean but you can easily change the language to english, i can change my us one right now to korean so no prob with that
December 1st, 2009 at 5:50 am
not even that many Koreans can get the iphone right now. people are waiting hours to activate their phones and KT employees are just not used to itunes, iphone and everything yet. people who have pre ordered the phones are just receiving them via mail and having trouble activating. it’s a TOTAL MESS. a chaos… people should just go check a Show store in a few weeks and just ask (with a korean friend)… it’s too insane now. KT didn’t expect this many people to sign up and they apparently released an apology. hopefully everything will get better in a week or 2…………
December 1st, 2009 at 6:12 am
i have a question i was looking at the plans and is 1GB and or 3GB of data even enough?
December 1st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
@jesse
Thanks. Because of iPhone i think we are saved from korean characters. We can get Enghish and use iTunes rather then carrier’s korean portal. I have currently SK telecom and they have put their navigation every where in my $800 phone. I can only download music from Melon and its all korean only. I cannot put music from my laptop to my mobile. I hope i can switch to kt and synch my current itune music to new iphone. I hope they allow me.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:01 am
I got my iPhone 3GS 32GB white yesterday.
It’s working out great! Setup was almost non-existent… put simcard in and ready to go. KT gave me a 20,000 Won voucher to use at their stores, I’m going to buy a case with it.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:04 am
The iPhone is in pretty much every language.
When I plugged it into my Mac iTunes detected the language and it was automatically set to English. I also added a Korean keyboard for texting. It’s the exact same as a phone back in Europe or the U.S!
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:59 am
i just picked up my phone today. i’m on an F4 visa and though i had trouble getting it online, it was pretty easy at the store. i didn’t have to get a revised plan or anything. i think this only applies to foreigners with F4, F2, and F5 status. not certain, though.
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:31 am
kitho.. what store and where?
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:00 am
are we aloud to get the two year contract if we are here on 2 year sofa status?
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Tbailey
I’m not sure, you don’t have a visa so therefore you dont have a alien registration number so it’ll b hard for them to process an application for your social wouldn’t work. I’ve tried talking to the people at one stop by starbucks and quiznos behind the burger king and they weren’t even aware of the iPhones release here so I think I’m gonna go by there again and talk to them and see if they can help.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
streetspirit,
I live here in Ilsan, but I made sure to go to a store that specifically was a SHOW store (not a hybrid). they had to stay on the phone a really long time with someone, but in the end, it was quite easy. i’m sure since they approved mine, all the SHOW stores would have the same policy.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:13 pm
I checked today and they said its closed for new registrations as they have not cleared the existing. They asked me to esquire next year Jan end.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:33 pm
It is really very easy to use an iPhone in Korea, if you are willing to pay !
I bought my brand new 32GB iphone 3Gs in Hong Kong ( over Ebay ) unlocked for $ 450.00, once received in Korea after 4 days I then did the following,
I contacted :
(주)두루-KES
경기 안양시 동안구 관양동 889-1 동일테크노타운 C-3503
Tel : 031-425-6200 Fax : 031-424-0450
http://www.kes.co.kr
Ask for Mr. JY Song ( He speaks very good English, and will help you with the complete process )
Here is what Mr Song told me first per email:
“Currently the Apple IPhone must get an Individual Registration by the real user in Korea.
So, the Registration is issued in personal name per one IPhone.
Therefore,
Our lab is doing in 5 days.
Fee per one Registration is 500,000KRW including VAT, license tax and RRA Registration fee.
For the required documents:
1. Application form
2. Confirmation document
3. If foreigner, copy of Alien registration card
I brought my iPhone to the KES location on Tuesday, and picked up the phone on Thursday ( 2 days ) The certification was sent to me by Email on the following Monday. I took my iPhone, the certification letter, and my old Samsung phone to SK .Really, within ONE Hour I took the SIM card from the Samsung phone, transferred it to the iPhone and everything worked.
I can even switch the SIM back to the Samsung and it will work. I was even able to keep my original monthly plan of 12,000KRW per month, and if I want to use 3G for internet I will be charged accordingly. But, I don’t because it is not that great, unless using a WiFi connection directly. So if you really want the iPhone that bad in Korea you can do it.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Steven,
What if you dont have SK? I have LG Telecom so im guessing that wont work. Do i have to get a new phone and plan from SK and have it transferred? Or could I just buy a SIM card…
December 4th, 2009 at 2:06 am
if you want to keep your number or get iphone faster,
these are what i’ve found so far..
1. you need at least 1 year of stay left in your residence card, preferably.
2. gotta pass the credit check. so that you can be in contract for 2 yrs or at least 1 year.
3. gott go to 직영점(Gikyoungjeom-KT operating Show Dealers) as supposed to local show dealers.
4. most of KT Show dealers don’t know what to do w/foreigners and gyopo i.d. tell them to enter
i.d. number at right section.
i’m departing with my number and get iphone on my wife’s name~ no hassle! –;;
December 4th, 2009 at 3:49 am
Just wondering, if i bought my iphone in korea will i be able to use in when i go back to canada? if i can use it when i go back to canada then is worth it for me to buy a new one in korea, but if i can’t then i rather spend some money to certify my old iphone
December 4th, 2009 at 8:31 am
So what to foreigners on F3 visas do? I work for foreign companies as a freelance journalist and want my bloody iPhone, but F3 is like nothing at all. Do I have to get hired by a Korean company just to get an iPhone? I’d rather not bother one of my mates just for the iPhone, but…
December 5th, 2009 at 3:31 am
I’m a university professor in Korea on an E-1 visa. Talking it over with the KT agents the problem (as I understand it) is this: KT has a separate contract with an insurance company to hedge off the risk of subscribers failing to live up to their contracts for the subsidized phones. Most foreigners (except for F4s who are good to go) are, for whatever reason, deemed a risk that the insurance company is unwilling to assume, so no phone payments over time (Korean “halbu”). I was able to buy one for 735,000 won up front and a monthly service charge of 30,000 won (and a one-year commitment), instead of 105,000 won/month for two years. In the end the money comes out about the same, although the data plans differ. So, I suspect that most foreigners in Korean can follow the same route,
December 5th, 2009 at 6:17 am
I’m on a local contract here in Korea. E-7 Visa. Does any of you guys know if I can get an iphone or not?
December 6th, 2009 at 3:02 am
i just checked yesterday at Megeum SHOW KT shop and i was about to get the iphone but as i already hat SK telecom for past two months i couldnt buy. The above story by JAKE for insurance company is also true. Foriegner are treated here as bunch of Jokers. So they dont give iphone with plan. You have to pay whole money. As my SK plan was just 2 months old, it has to be minimum 3 months to transfer to other operator. So i have to wait for another 1 month. But i have decided to return my phone to SK and close the contract. This way, I will take a new connection with KT. Also, foreigners can have only one phone as you all are ALIENS. Where as koreans can have many phone. This shit was not in USA where i was able to buy Cingular phone easily.
December 6th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
This has always been the case in Korea. Foreigners are not given unsecured credit – ever. Even though I had a few hundred million Won in the bank, a mortgage, and a business account with a huge amount of transactions I couldn’t even get a simple credit card.
I asked why. I was told by a very insightful bank manager that from the Korea perspective if Koreans were easily given unsecured credit in a foreign country many Koreans would default when they left the country. And he is right, many do. So Koreans assume other people will act just like Koreans.
December 6th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Foreigners here in Korea on a D8 type visa can get the iPhone very easily, I got mine on Friday without any problems.
December 6th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I’m on an F2-1 visa (married to a Korean). My wife bought her iPhone on Saturday. However, the shop refused to give me an iPhone citing all kinds of spurious reasons. In what country on earth are married spouses with long-term employment and a good credit history refused a simple thing like a mobile telephone? You guessed it: K O R E A
Shame on you, Korea! Shame on you. I’m considering taking this to human rights organisations, the press, and the courts. I’m severely pissed off.
December 7th, 2009 at 4:50 am
James, I have you in my sights: I am a foreign spy who takes down foreigners. Married to a Korean, eh? That is grounds for even more condescension.
December 7th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
@james……. PLEASE DO SO…. theres so many things wrong with korea when it comes dealing with foreigners. koreans are so xenophobic. i would really like to see you take action and expose this non sense to everyone. it’s totally wrong. im speechless man. ugh.
December 8th, 2009 at 1:32 am
Has anyone looked into the “number transfer” system for people with a history with another company?
December 8th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
i was looking around on other forums and someone mentioned that it was possible to get the phone under a koreans name but directly withdrawn form your account. Therefore if you choose to run every bill there after would be sent to your korean friens….is this true, can anyone confirm this?? that would be swell
December 8th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
i was looking around on other forums and someone mentioned that it was possible to get the phone under a koreans name but directly withdrawn form your account. Therefore if you choose to run every bill there after would be sent to your korean friens….is this true, can anyone confirm this?? that would be swell
December 8th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Pete:
yes, that is true. I pre-orderd my iPhone from one of the Frisbee stores 2 weeks ago and got mine early last week. If you haven’t been there, I highly recommend getting through them. Very friendly and they speak good English. The phone is in my Korean friend’s name with mine attached to it. Kinda like co-signing i guess. Anyhow, they took my bank account info and every month I pay. One thing to note though. You will likely want to ask your friend to give you his/her Korean ID # because if you ever need to make changes (address, bank change, etc.) to your plan in the future, you will need that number. That way, you can make adjustments without hassling your friend.
December 8th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Pete,
I can confirm this. I’m on an E2 visa and had my co-teacher register the phone for me. It’s under her name but they withdraw directly from my account.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
@James on D8 visa
where did you get your iPhone? I am also on D8.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
@James on D8 visa
which SHOW or KT shop was it?
December 8th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I guess the admin is on vacation on in a long queue to get the iPhone (LOL)
My advice to everyone is this:
Go to the headquarters of KT. The store near your home is not enough. I have had many phones here and I know the guy, but the person in charge of the store doesn’t want to deal with you (and usually they don’t because foreigner matters are very complicated) there is nothing you can do. KT headquarters, on the other side, HAVE to deal with you.
Yes, Pete. You can have a phone number adscribed to a Korean national and pay with your credit card. They just valid your credit card when you make the purchase. If your credit card was not issued in Korea, you may have problems.
Mi advice to everyone who has problem with the plans is this:
Buy the iPhone with the smallest data plan and buy the “Egg”, a device to create a Wi-Fi area with a 3G signal (27,000 KW a month for 1 year), which gives you 50GB of data monthly.
Now, you can connect to the NETPOT hotspots with your iPhone, so the need for a big 3G data contract is questionable.
Another advice:
When buying the iPhone you have the option of not locking the USIM (SIM) card.
I am happy with the phone, but maps don’t work and the iTunes stores does not work either. I tried to contact KT regarding the maps, but no one knows (I do know that NAVER offers that service to regular cell phone users for a montly fee). I wrote to them and I am still waiting for an answer.
December 8th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Mr. Jose
What do you mean by “When buying the iPhone you have the option of not locking the USIM (SIM) card.”
So the phone can always be kept unlocked?
When you activate the USIM (SIM) doesnt it lock automatically?
December 9th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
to José María Areta,
What do mean the itunes store doesnt work?? the korean or american?
December 9th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
The iTunes store and maps are working just fine for me (Korea-bought iPhone on SHOW).
December 10th, 2009 at 2:23 am
Hi there!
I just went into the KT store today in Gohyeong (Geoje Island) and was denied an iphone. I have a D-7 work visa (I work in the shipyard for an American company) that is only valid for a year at a time. I had the guy at Show talk to my secretary on the phone and he told her because I didn’t have a two year visa, I cannot get the Iphone. No other options were given to me. I was in Busan yesterday and the guy at that Show store told me I had to have a Korean Credit Card to get the phone so I applied for one today with my bank. I’m not sure what that was all about, but maybe I’ll try and go back to Busan in the next couple of weeks. Anyhow, I’m thinking more and more that getting an iphone in Korea is way too much of a hassle and I think the Koreans want it that way. Guess I’ll probably keep my current cellphone with LG and get an Ipod Touch!
December 10th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
@Pete: The iTunes Store does not work in Korea (I mean the music store, not the iTunes App Store). You can open a music store account based on the place of issue of your credit card. If your credit card was issued in Korea, you won’t be able to use the store (the Apps store works).
About maps: After reading thru the pages of http://www.iphoneclub.co.kr/
some people said that maps work in some areas and not others.
@John Smith I don’t think they lock a USIM with a phone: they activate a USIM. In theory (I haven’t tried and haven’t read anything about it), you could change USIMs (probably of the same provider, KT) and the phone should work. I’m not sure about this point. I’m sure that when you buy a cell in Korea it’s not link to any USIM (which you could buy in any store for 15.000 won). I had a Arena which I gave to a friend. She took her old USIM card from her old phone, put in in the Arena, and that’s it: new cell. Maybe there are restrictions when paying monthly… I’m not sure.
December 12th, 2009 at 12:07 am
I can buy iphone in Korea. But can I jailbreak iphone here. And also if I go to VN for working. Can I use in VietNam. I will go to VN for 2 month and go back to Korea.
So please help me
December 12th, 2009 at 3:09 am
I have posted on here before and want to repost since there has been a couple weeks of elapsed time. I am military here in country and would like to get the iphone but we don’t go off of visa’s we are simply here on sofa status. I am here for 2 years so time here is not an issue. i am wondering if anyone knows if there is anyway for me to get an iphone with the 2 year contract.. or without having to pay an ungodly amount upfront. thanks.
December 12th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
anyone knows if I can activate my (u.s) iphone with a korean carrier?
December 12th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
TBailey,
Hopefully this helps
http://www.stripes.com/m/article.asp?section=104&article=66484
December 12th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
@TBAily:
I have my iPhone, purchased on Yongsan Garrison at the One Stop Business center (Located up the hill behind the Burger King on S. Post). I had to pay the full cost for the phone up front, and a 2 year contract. They do offer a 1 year contract as well. I walked out of the store with an activated 3GS on 5Dec09 at 1623 (1st thing I did was snap a photo of my daughter in the phone shop – time/date data from photo)
December 14th, 2009 at 3:07 am
james-
thanks for the info i will head down there tomorrow. what is the full price of the phone if you don’t mind me asking.
December 14th, 2009 at 7:51 am
@TBaily
Too friggin’ much. Didn’t stop me though. I wrote it off as part xmas present from the kids.
Same price as I would have paid at the Hong Kong Apple Store…and without the added 500k won to get it “Certified” for Korea.
The fun will now be seeing if they will unlock it, as I paid full price and it is not subsidized. We’ll see…
December 14th, 2009 at 7:56 am
@ admin
All right, I believe it is now standard practice that any foreigner can walk into a carrier, with a Korean co-signer, and sign a two year contract and get a subsidized phone with the same rates as any Korean. Seems a very fair deal to me. I believe this because it’s what a KT Show woman told me on the phone when I walked into a shop today, in northern Seoul.
My questions is… do I want to do that? I would very much like to see a comparison of owning an Iphone in the US, to owning an Iphone in Korea. If you are not fluent in Hanguel, is it worth it to own one in Korea?
I’ve seen a few comments that would indicate they are fairly compromised by being set in English language mode while being in Korea. Someone said that some of the maps didn’t work all of the time and that they couldn’t access itunes. Are these claims true.
I hope the administrator will write a full review/comparison of the phone that will reveal exactly how compromised and desirable the phone is even when it’s not in North America. How many of the functions are practically useable by a foreigner???
December 14th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I have a US iPhone 3GS.
If I go to Korea in a few months, can I purchase a data plan and KT simcard and be good to go; maybe a year contract? I already have the phone.
December 15th, 2009 at 3:41 am
hello all,
check out what the Korean Herald posted in regards to expats and the iPhone…
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/12/16/200912160007.asp
December 15th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Steven
how did you buy the brand new iphone on hongkong ebay?
December 16th, 2009 at 12:39 am
I dropped my brand new iPhone and it appears as though there’s a crack in the LCD screen…Anyone know what I can do about it, short of getting a new phone?
There are actually 2 visible cracks. One has remained the same (I dropped it on my kitchen floor on Saturday…) – but the other gets longer each day..It started off about as wide as my pinkie thumbnail and now covers half the width of the screen. Can this be blame on manufacturing? HELP!
December 16th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
The only thing you could do right now is go to an apple store and ask them to fix it for you. or if you have friends in the U.S send it to him and ask him to take it to places that fix the screens. In OC there are a few places that fix Iphones. the screen will cost you around 70-80 dollars.
you luck
December 16th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Has anyone had any success using Turbo Sim?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbo_SIM
here is video tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS1UhHiM0cU
December 16th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
I’m iphone fan and D-2 visa(student visa) holder and it availables till 2011 September .But i cannot buy iphone with 2 years contract…
….
I cannot pay 900000 won at once…
Damn!!!
We are discriminated…………
December 17th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Me and my workmate (we’re both expats on an E7 visa) is planning to purchase an iPhone in Korea.
He was able to get in touch with a KT rep and she said that KT is planning to revise their iPhone policy for foreigners.
Basically, foreigners with a sojourn period of 3 months or more are qualified to get an iPhone for a 1 year contract of 35k KRW (min) and an upfront price of 900k KRW.
She advised that if we decide on getting the iPhone, we should go to a KT store and give her a call, apparently to make her talk with whoever is in charge in the store.
So we’ll try to go to a store this afternoon and wish us luck! I’ll update you guys later.
So for now, take everything that you read here with a grain of salt.
December 17th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Well, the information that the person in KT that we talked with gave checked out, and we got ourselves a spanking new iPhone!
It’s confirmed!
But there are caveats involved:
1. You MUST pay out the full price of the iPhone upfront. Installment is not allowed for foreigners
2. I think in general, you need to have a Korean guarantor of some sort. In our case however, we’re employed in one of the biggest conglomerates in Korea, so the reputation of our company is very favorable for KT, hence we won’t be needing any Korean guarantor.
Hope this helps and good luck with the iPhone purchase!
December 20th, 2009 at 12:18 am
I picked up an iphone yesterday and its fantastic. I have one problem. my sim card doesnt recognize the number… next to my number in systems pref. it just has unknown. Anyone else have this problem. The phone works fine but my text messages do not leave a number and friends are unable to reply.. couldnt find much on the web bout it
any ideas??
December 20th, 2009 at 4:57 am
It will show up…It just takes a few days to register..Mine took about 36 hours and it’s all good now! Enjoy your phone!
December 20th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
@pete,
you need to have a Korean friend call 114 and tell them to do a “USIM READING” if the problem persists. it’s a common glitch but it’s not a serious one so don’t worry too much.
December 20th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
The incompetency of KT/SHOW is AMAZING!
I went to a SHOW store to buy an iPhone. After showing my D8 visa they said I cannot buy. After some discussion, they confirmed I can buy but I have to pay more money upfront. I said OK how much for the 32GB? 732,000 WON for 2 years contract but not the known Korean rates (i-light, medium, premium). You can go for monthly 13,000 basic + 14,000 for 1GB data for 2 years. After filling the paper contract, the system would not accept my Alien Registration number. So no iPhone!!!
The day after, I called the KT Foreigner Service Center (02-2190-1180) where they confirmed if your visa is not valid for 2 years you cannot buy a 2 years contract. But I can buy an iPhone with a 1 year contract as long as my visa is valid more than 3 months!!!! I told the girl from KT service center, my visa is valid 6 months. She said no problem as long as it is valid for more than 3months??? What a great logic. She said the 32GB would be 876,000. Then I said that their folks in the store are not aware of all these details. She said yes yes just go in the shop and tell them it works.
Then again I went to a SHOW store… guess what happened…. No no you cannot buy. It was after 7pm so the Service Center was closed and could not confirm.
This is what I learned:
1/ with D8 visa (at least, maybe other others) you can buy an iPhone with 1year contract and a subsidy of about 70,000 WON. You can chose your monthly fee as you wish
2/ if you want this 1 year contract you’d better have the KT Foreign Service Center number ready (02-2190-1180) for you to call from the SHOW store where they have NO IDEA!! Beware of the opening hours until 7pm.
Dear KT/SHOW staff readers:
1/ I do not believe that in our economy any company can afford to refuse customers!! There are ways to avoid fraud with foreigners returning to their country within the 2 years contract. Be creative!! For example paying full price upfront and then no minimum contract time
2/ by doing so, KT would still steal market share form SK!!!! Isn’t this your Graal quest?? This would have been my case.
3/ even though you have a 1 year contract possibility, at least according to your Service Center, your stores are NOT aware.. And the system seems not ready to accept!!!! So please send an email and explain to your staff!!!
Bottom line:
Even though I am a HUGE Apple Fan and almost died of not being able to use my 1st Gen iPhone in Korea, I will NOT buy iPhone at least not as long as it is only with KT. I will stay with SK! KT has to learn from their mistakes. 2 years to prepare… And this is the result… Amazing!!! 생각대로T!!!
December 20th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
@JP…Dude,
This is Korea and a different world. I was also very frustrated to get one phone. First people dont have any information in the shop. Nor they tell you if you ask. But when i paid full money, they gave me iphone and without any contract or discount. I pay every month as i use. I had an SK mobile and as a foreigner i cannot transfter to KT if i have less then 3months. So i canceled my SK number , paid penalty and then brought KT iphone.
God bless all foreigners(Aliens) on this side of planet.
December 21st, 2009 at 6:16 am
Has anyone tried to use the BlackRa1n or BlackSn0n on there korean Iphone? any success?
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:27 pm
@ Those of you with the phone
I was wondering how much usage you’re getting from a full charge. My first charge i got 7hrs usage, 19 hrs standby. Noticed that apps and games drain it like crazy as expected. Do these numbers seem alright or is my battery a little weak? Mind you its hard to put this thing down.
Cheers
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:57 pm
@sameer
a new law has been implemented on the 3-month minimum usage period with 1 carrier because people were transferring between carriers too often and selling the free phones or something. so yeah that’s the law. but anyway yeah it is extremely hard for foreigners to live in this xenophobic and close-minded nation. god bless foreigners in Korea… =T KT isn’t 100% aware of their policy with iphone/apple so it will take some time for everything to get settled down. hope all foreigners will be able to get an iphone soon. Android phones are supposed to come out next month too from SK so hopefully there will be more options for foreigners here. and yes, god bless all foreigners here.
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:59 am
@pete, my battery wasn’t lasting nearly that long in the first week. Since I started putting it down occasionally, it does last a bit longer
. Still not 24 hours though. I read that with the type of battery in the phone it’s best to keep it fully charged as much as possible so now I keep it plugged into my laptop all the time while working.
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:52 pm
@Jeremy
I’m going to get the iPhone in the early part of January, but when you said SK is bringing android OS phones are supposed to come out soon, I gave pause. So, do you have a link to this wonderful information by any chance? Is this word of mouth? Did you hear it from an official at SK? Please let us know if you get anymore information. Thanks!
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:44 pm
@max,
thanks. ya i figured it was normal. I think the battery life is great when calling, texting, even surfing. As soon as i use apps or games, it drops
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:55 pm
@James or anyone military iphone users in Korea,
James, I’m also military and I’m real close to buying an iphone. I have a few questions about it, but unfortunately I can’t get the “one guy” at the one stop on Yongsan that speaks good english.
For anyone military:
1. How much did it cost for which GB model?
2. Do you have to get the 15,000/month internet?
3. What plan did you get and what is the cheapest plan?
4. For James, why did you get a 2 year contract?
5. For anyone with an iphone – how good are the “KT hot spots” and are they free?
6. Does the GPS work and do you need internet to use it?
Either post the answer here or send me an e-mail: aquilajedi@hotmail.com Thanks in advance!
I keep going back and forth as to whether I want to have a Korean friend get it for me (cheap up front, but expensive plans). Or just pay a lot up front. However, not knowing if I have to get internet or even want internet makes the situation more complicated.
D*mn it! I was 1 week from buying one in the US before I got orders to come here . . .now I had to spend 2 months researching Korea and it’s ridiculous phone system. I guess the concept of a “deposit” hasn’t quite made it here . . .
December 24th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
@Adrien
I have read many times that SK is going to release, at least, 2 Android phones in Korea (Samsung and LG).
Anyone has any news about Motorola in Korea? Why they don’t release the Droid?
Merry Christmas, everyone.
December 25th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Foreigners never fear the Iphone is here. When we first walked into the shop we were initially turned down, but said “the KT service center said we could” to the agent. He called verified our claim and got the paper work rolling. We did not even have to call the Foreign Service center. The contract is in a foreign name and we think for one year ( It could be two, communication wasn’t so great ). We were able to switch our phone numbers from LG to KT with no problems.
As long as you have a Korean Credit card you can get the Iphone. The phone cost 732,000 Won + 7,000 won for the sim and the monthly rate is 14,000 per month base fee for minutes , and 10,000 base fee for 500 Mb ( 24,000 Total minimum / month) Much lower than the offered I-plans by KT for the Iphone . We had a D-7 working visa with 9 months left.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
@ johann
It was very easy to purchase an iphone from Ebay. I just looked at which shipped to South Korea and the one that had the best price, I used this guy:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-iPhone-3GS-16GB-Black-FACTORY-UNLOCKED-SEALED_W0QQitemZ180443234366QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCell_Phones?hash=item2a0341403e
For some reason he is now more expensive, because I was able to purchase the 32GB 3Gs for around USD $ 450.00, back in September. Now, he is offering only the 16GB version for $ 848.00 that is a big difference. I would look at others; some even offer free international shipping from the US to Korea now.
Considering that you need to pay the 500,000KRW for the certification. After that it was really easy, I just walked into SK with my old phone, and they did the transfer no questions asked. I know that it is expensive going the way that I did, but I could not wait, and I did not want to deal with all of the problems that I am reading about here in these posts. I have been very happy with using it here in Korea the past few weeks, and I have waited 5 years for Korea to finally offer 2004 type mobile technology here in Korea
January 4th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
FYI, i’m a Korean American with a F4 visa and was denied the iPhone 2-year contract from SHOW stores and Apple stores throughout Seoul. My visa dates are 6 days less than exactly 2 years so i was denied the 2-year contract despite having been in Korea over a year and despite having a Korean credit card and working at a company (not a teacher). I think it’s completely ridiculous that 6 days barrs me from the iPhone in Korea. KT is horrible – too bad SKT won’t get the iPhone, i just showed my ARC and got a 2 year agreement right away. Took me 10 minutes.
January 9th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Well it’s not just in Korea that they don’t allow foreigners to have a phone unless they have a certain visa. It’s the same thing in the U.S too, most foreigners to U.S would need a social security in order to open a line for AT&T, since in U.S they do credit check via social security. Even if the foreigners do have a social security, it all depends on their credit scores. Regardless if their score is low, they can still choose to buy it by paying 400 bucks upfront for a security deposit.
Same thing in Korea, if you are doing a 2-year contract with their service, they do check credits as well, especially with smartphones like omnia. My friend try to buy one with his credit, but he couldn’t because the fact that his credit was too low. So he ended up using his sister’s to get the Omnia, plus it’s not just omnia, it’s with other phone as well.
January 13th, 2010 at 1:34 am
good article about foreigners in Korea and iPhone….. i hope things can be worked out very soon…
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2914731
January 19th, 2010 at 1:08 am
I just got my iPhone from a Show store in Gimpo City.
I paid W890 000 for the phone with W12 000 monthly plus W??? per minute if I go over the allotted nr of free minutes. (I’m not sure how the monthly thing will work out exactly, will only know for sure next month)
I had to sit through almost 3 hours with them finding out how to sell the iPhone to an foreigner. So that store is now “open” for foreigners.
February 14th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Recently, I inserted my my SK sim card into an Iphone and a HTC Touch HD2 in Malaysia, and they work (roaming). I wonder if I bring either one of those phone to Korea, will I be able to use it in Korea? Anyone has any ideas?
February 14th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Can somebody provide an update about the current situation for foreigners?
I’m currently planning on unlocking my US 3GS, sending it to the certification/registration place, then getting a contract somehow.
Any tips?
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:27 pm
does anyone know how and if an F-2 visa holder can get an iphone that was bought in the US activated in korea? will i be able to get an iphone plan and will it be the normal plan or still the inflated ridiculous plan? i will be going to korea soon. I plan to buy the iphone unlocked.
March 8th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
I’ve lived in 5 countries including Japan and never had such problems. I won’t get an iPhone as I dont’ work here for a Korean company and personally, think the rates etc suck. But Korea isn’t run like a country, but like a bloody business, and one which hates people who lives in its borders – even if they are Korean.
But, here’s another example: Korea charges duties (on shipped items) not on the item price only, but on shipping costs. So an item which I recently bought which is less than 150$ (the limit) got hit because its shipping was 30$. So instead of getting the item last week, I had to phone customs, tell them the situation, understand that obviously, if I don’t want to pay customs (on shipping?), I have to buy in Korea which is 3x the markup.
The item still hasn’t arrived though it was supposed to be here on Saturday (6 March). Koreans too get screwed here, but foreigners are not people. The problem is that foreigners have pretty much no representation outside of: military and ‘english teaching’. horrid.
March 13th, 2010 at 4:35 am
Hello,
I’m french and I’m leaving in Korea since February 2010 with a F2 Visa.
I’m very desappointed since I’ve got some information from KT reps, when I wanted to order a contract in order to use it here in Korea.
I got this iPhone through Orange in France and pay my bills during 15 month before I come in to Korea for Family affair (so that’s was an unpredictable situation).
Before I’ve come here, I’ve unlock the Simlock by demand through Orange Service. So I’m pure & legal iPhone user.
KT reps say me that it’s not possible to do a contract since I autorized/register my iPhone here in this country for 300 000 W. I know that iPhone was launch here since few month by KT with Exclusivity but it was not a good reason.
Why it’s so expensive and difficult for foreigners ?
March 14th, 2010 at 6:12 am
I live near Osan and SHOW opened a store on the base where you can get an iPhone. I don’t know the details (price etc), but if anyone is in the area and has access to the base it’s available.
March 23rd, 2010 at 4:46 am
I forgot my phone in a dongduchon taxi, it seems the Taxi man is wicked, He answered my call after several attempt, but hang up after a while…I kept calling my phone for 3days and no one answered it again.
Well, i ended up registering another USIM card with same number..
I went to different phone shops, There is one particular shop i went,the lady said ande! ande! wegu saram ande!…lol
Just on 21 march 2010 (2days ago) i went to Yongsan Ipark Mall in korea to buy a phone, I asked about the iphone and they said it’s not for foreigners….hummmm
March 30th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
i’m a foreigner with d-4 visa… and im 19 years old, based on the korean aging system… i just came to korea last 1 month… can i buy the iphone? pliz help me..
March 30th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
im 19 years old….can i buy iphone? and im d-4 visa holder….. pliz help me….im a foreigner in korea..
April 5th, 2010 at 4:59 am
I am an American on an E1 visa who got around all the cell phone subscription BS by having my Korean national sister-in-law, get the contract for me. It’s with KT and now I have the opportunity to buy a used iPhone from an American friend in Hawaii.
I checked with a local KT shop and was told that an American iPhone won’t work in Korea without a changeover that would run about 300,000 won. This sounds preposterous.
My question is, will an American iPhone brought into Korea work under a KT contract, or has the hermit kingdom proven to be again an alternative universe in its domestic telecom infrastructure?
An authoratative response would be most welcomed. I leave to pick the phone up next week.
April 9th, 2010 at 12:25 am
I just need the Phone… is it possible
During my stay in korea.. i use it as Ipod touch.. then back in my country i use it as phone/ipod..
So is that possible
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