Samsung Electronics said on the 26th it will roll out the "New Galaxy AI subscription club," with beefed-up benefits ahead of preorders for its new foldable smartphones "Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Flip8."
The subscription club keeps existing perks such as guaranteeing up to 50% of the residual value when returning a device, Samsung Care+ and accessory discounts, while adding new benefits and protection services aimed at people in their teens and 20s.
Samsung Electronics will newly run a "Flip Youth subscription" for customers who buy the unlocked "Galaxy Z Flip8" model and sign up for a two-year plan. If they return the Flip8 after using it for two years, they can receive up to 50% of the base price, and they will also get a one-month pass for the language-learning app "Speak" Premium Plus.
A three-year option has been added to the existing one- and two-year subscription plans. Three-year subscribers can use the "Samsung Care+ smartphone loss and damage" service, which covers loss as well as damage. Loss compensation is available once every 12 months, up to three times, and customers must pay 30% of the base price of the replacement device. There is no limit on the number of damage claims, and 30% of the damage service fee applies as a deductible. The minimum deductible is 30,000 won.
During the subscription period, free repair, battery replacement and on-site repair services are also provided. If battery efficiency falls below 80%, customers can receive a replacement service, and on-site repairs may incur a visit fee depending on whether the issue is customer-induced.
Customers who buy the new eighth-generation unlocked foldable models and join the subscription club can receive a guaranteed residual value of 50% of the Samsung.com base price for the one-year plan, 40% for the two-year plan (50% for the Galaxy Z Flip8), and 25% of the base price for the three-year plan when they return their current device.
Coverage for cybercrime losses has also been newly included. If a subscriber suffers losses from cyber financial crimes such as phishing, smishing, hacking or pharming, compensation is available up to 3 million won, and up to 500,000 won for fraud involving direct online transactions or shopping malls. Benefits are provided only to customers who register their device IMEI.
Monthly subscription fees are 9,900 won for one- and two-year plans and 14,500 won for the three-year plan for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Fold8. For the Galaxy Z Flip8, they are 8,900 won for one- and two-year plans and 11,500 won for the three-year plan.
Benefits for re-subscribing customers have also been prepared. Customers who signed up for the one-year Galaxy Z Fold7/Flip7 subscription club last year and purchase an unlocked Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 or Flip8 and rejoin the subscription club will receive one year of "Samsung Fire & Marine 365 travel insurance."
Jeong Hojin, executive vice president and head of Korea at Samsung Electronics, said, "The new Galaxy AI subscription club has been upgraded by comprehensively considering benefits that let users feel secure with foldable devices, everyday financial security, and the preferences of people in their teens and 20s," adding, "We will continue to roll out differentiated, worry-free subscription services that reflect customer lifestyles."