These days, self-sufficient phones are getting a lot of attention in Korea along with budget phone plans. It seems that as more people value practicality and rationality, more people question expensive smartphone plans. In particular, consumers are increasingly dissatisfied with major smartphone manufacturers as they raise the price of their handsets every time they release a new model.
In Case of the latest smartphones such as Samsung Electronics ‘ Galaxy S21 ‘, Apple ‘ Iphone 12 ‘, it is said that the sales of self-control is over 20 %. Since the price is so high to buy a smartphone with a mobile carrier, 1 in 5 consumers purchase a handset separately and then open it directly at a dealer. Considering that the domestic self-sufficient phone rate was less than 10% until last year, it can be seen that rapid growth has been achieved in a short period of time. 자급제폰 개통방법
index
– What is a self-sufficient phone?
– Pros and cons of self-sufficient phone
– Difference between self-sufficient phone and carrier phone 좋은뉴스
– How to open self-sufficiency phone
What is a self-supporting phone
Smartphone self-sufficiency refers to the method of purchasing an air conditioner at a large mart, home appliance store, or online shopping mall, and then opening and using it at the desired telecommunications company. And the air machine purchased in this way is a self-sufficient phone. Self-sufficient phones were introduced in 2012. In Korea, the mobile phone purchasing system was centered on the distribution structure of large mobile carriers, so there was a severe concentration. The purpose of introducing a self-sufficient phone is to widen the range of choices for users by improving this and to reduce the burden of mobile phone prices.
Some of you may be wondering about the difference between a self-sufficient phone and a budget phone. Self-sufficient phones and budget phones have something in common in that the government introduced them to reduce household communication costs. However, the difference is that self-sufficient mobile phones are for distributing cheap ‘mobile phones’, and budget phones are for lowering ‘communication costs’.
Therefore, after purchasing a self-sufficient phone, you can spend economically at a low price by selecting and using an affordable phone plan. In addition, when competition between the smartphone self-sufficiency market and the budget phone plan market is promoted, service quality improves and prices become more affordable, which will benefit consumers.
Self-sufficient phone pros and cons
The biggest advantage of a self-sufficient phone is that you can choose a carrier and rate without a contract period. In other words, the degree of freedom of choice is high when opening a smartphone. If you purchase a terminal through an existing large telecommunications company, you must subscribe to an expensive plan to receive the terminal disclosure subsidy. However, if you purchase a self-sufficient phone, you do not have to forcefully choose an expensive plan or maintain unwanted additional services.
If the basic rate plans of the three telecommunication companies (SKT, KT, LG U+) feel expensive, you can enjoy telecommunication life at a more affordable price by using the budget phone plan. Affordable phone plans are generally half the price of the three telecommunications companies, so you can save a lot of money in the long run. Also, as a self-sufficient phone, you can choose to sign up for 4G LTE instead of 5G.
preloaded app
Another advantage of the self-sufficient phone is that there is no preloaded app from the carrier. Usually, when you buy a smartphone, there are various preloaded apps from the operating system manufacturer and the handset manufacturer. For example, when you purchase a Samsung smartphone, preloaded apps such as Galaxy Store, Samsung Pay, S Health, and Samsung Pass are installed. When you buy an iPhone, it comes with preloaded apps such as Apple Books, iMovie, Garage Band, and Keynote. There are differences depending on the carrier or device, but generally around 30 carrier apps are preloaded.
Some users do not use these apps at all, but some of them are preloaded apps that cannot be deleted, which is a problem. This is because a lot of preloaded apps consume a lot of storage space and consume resources, hindering the overall performance of the system or draining the battery in the background. Therefore, when using a self-sufficient phone, users can feel comfortable just by not having a preloaded app.
[Advantages of self-sufficient phone]
Subscription possible without contract with telecommunication company (can be canceled at any time without penalty)
A variety of plans to choose from, including low-cost phone plans
Can be opened with LTE plans other than 5G plans
Carrier’s preloaded apps are not installed
There is no carrier restriction, so it is advantageous to resell the terminal as used
Of course, there are downsides to self-sufficient phones. As mentioned above, in exchange for being free to choose your telecom fee and not having to have it every day on your contract, you won’t get any carrier subsidies. In a situation where credit card installments are not available, you have to pay the price of the terminal in a lump sum, so spending a large amount of money at once can be a burden. In addition, since the number of users of self-sufficient phones is relatively small and the purchase path is fragmented, the purchase and opening process may feel inconvenient. This is because consumers must directly compare the price of a device at an electronic product store or open market before purchasing it, and then sign up for a mobile communication service through an agency. For those who are not familiar with this process, the process of finding and opening a self-sufficient phone can be stressful.
[Disadvantages of self-sufficient phone]
Unable to receive carrier subsidies
Paying the cost when purchasing a lump sum of the terminal price (except when credit card installments are available)
The process of purchasing and opening a terminal is cumbersome
The difference between a self-sufficient phone and a carrier phone
There is no difference between a phone that is opened through a carrier and a phone that is purchased independently in terms of device or performance. It’s just a difference in how the manufacturer buys and opens the phone that it makes and sells. However, the two methods differ in terms of opening and use. The differences between self-sufficient phones and carrier phones are summarized below.
When purchasing the latest smartphone, communication companies can only open it with 5G, and self-sufficient phones can also open with 4G
When purchasing a phone from a telecommunication company with subsidies, there is a contract period, so it is not possible to change the rate plan (penalties apply when changing within the period)
When purchasing a phone from a telecommunication company, you can receive installment support as much as the obligatory usage period, installment interest accrues (12 months, 24 months, 36 months, etc.)
Carrier phones have preloaded apps installed, some of which cannot be deleted
Since the carrier’s phone is an exclusive terminal of the carrier, the use of a third-party SIM is restricted (you must contact the carrier to unlock it)
The carrier’s phone displays the carrier’s logo when the smartphone is booted up.
How to open a self-sufficient phone
How to purchase and activate a self-sufficient phone depends on how the phone was purchased. It depends on whether you move the number, change only the device, new subscription, or change the SIM card. There are two ways to open a self-sufficient phone, and you can choose the appropriate method depending on whether you need a new SIM or not.
First, if you need a new USIM, you can open a self-sufficient phone in the following way.
Buy self-sufficient phone
carrier selection
Select ‘Self-sufficiency’ on the homepage of the telecommunication company
Choose your preferred rate plan
Application for USIM subscription
call customer service
SIM delivery within 1-2 days after activation
After receiving the SIM, attach it to the terminal and use it
Of course, there is a way to visit the telecommunications company’s dealership and open it, or there is a way to use self-opening. Self-activation is a method of purchasing a SIM at a convenience store or open market, then directly entering the phone number on the homepage and applying for activation. In this case, the opening can be completed quickly in about 5 minutes, so there is an advantage that you can use your smartphone right away.
In the case of the simian gibyeon, it’s a little simpler. Simply remove the SIM from your current smartphone and insert it into your new phone. This applies only if you keep and use the same carrier and rate plan you used on your existing phone. In other words, if you do not need to purchase a new SIM, you can open a self-sufficient phone in the following way.
Buy self-sufficient phone
After receiving the phone, remove the old SIM card and insert it into the new phone.
ushop self-sufficient phone
Not long ago, LG U+ started providing a one-stop service for opening self-sufficient terminals through its official online mall U-Shop. From purchasing a self-sufficient phone to subscribing to a plan and opening a SIM, a one-stop platform was created. It is said that you can receive an additional discount coupon in addition to the discounted terminal price by providing an online-only direct plan. When more of these one-stop self-sufficient phone platforms are created, more people will be able to use self-sufficient phones in a convenient way. If you are curious about a good affordable phone plan that can be used with a self-sufficient phone, please refer to the post below.