LG’s new smartphone, which was launched on March 31, is drawing attention as its ancillary devices are more expensive than the phone itself. A customer would have to spend two million won to purchase the new G5 accompanied by its five ‘friends’ (accompanying devices). (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 1 (Korea Bizwire) – LG‘s new smartphone, which was launched on March 31, is drawing attention as its ancillary devices are more expensive than the phone itself. A customer would have to spend two million won to purchase the new G5 accompanied by its five ‘friends’ (accompanying devices).
According to industry reports, the lowest price of the G5 was set between 530,000 won and 570,000 won (including carrier subsidies). This is in the same price range as the Galaxy S7, which was released March. As a result, fierce competition between Samsung and LG is predicted.
The prices of the G5 and Galaxy S7 were the same at KT and LGU+. However, the Galaxy S7 appeared to be 23,000 won more expensive compared to the G5 when selecting SK Telecom as the service provider.
What is drawing more attention, however, is the cost of the accompanying devices that can be connected to the G5.
Also called ‘friends’, there are a total of eight devices that can be attached to the G5. The current prices of the six devices sum up to a total of 1,384,000 won. The total price of the ‘friends’ is more than double the price of the G5 itself.
‘Cam Plus’, which is a camera grip and external battery at the same time, sells for 99,000 won, and ‘Hi-Fi Plus’, which functions as a high end audio system, is 189,000 won.
Virtual reality device ’360VR’ and the ’360 Cam’ that can take 360 degree videos are being sold for 299,000 won. The premium earphones ‘H3 by B&O PLAY’ are priced at 279,000 won, and the headset ‘Tone Plus (HBS-110)’ goes for 219,000 won.
The home monitoring camera ‘Rolling Bot’ is expected to be released in May, and a drone remote control called ‘Smart Controller’ is in testing, with the official release date yet to be decided.
Whether the ‘friends’ will push the sales of the G5 to new heights and hold off the challenge of Samsung’s S7 remains to be seen.
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
