Galaxy S3 to enter local smartphone ecosystem this month

Samsung Electronics' highly anticipated Galaxy S3 flagship smartphone is set to arrive in Korea soon, several weeks after it was released in 28 markets overseas.

SK Telecom and KT, the nation's leading mobile carriers, said yesterday that they will start taking off- and online preorders for the latest Galaxy S handset starting this morning.

The 4.8-inch handset comes in two models depending on connectivity - 3G and 4G long-term evolution (LTE), which carriers claim offers five times faster data-processing.

While the 3G-enabled Galaxy S3 will be released this month exclusively through SK Telecom, the LTE version will be available next month via both carriers. The exact release dates were not disclosed.

A Galaxy S3 with 3G connection can be ordered online at Tworld shop (tworldshop.co.kr), but SK Telecom has limited preorder volume to 5,000 units, it said.

There won¡¯t be any quantity restrictions on LTE-enabled Galaxy S3s. KT said it will accept applications at preorder.olleh.com as well as at its Olleh stores nationwide.

Customers will receive the handsets on a first-come, first-served basis from both mobile service providers. Existing subscribers who submit their old handsets to their carrier to trade in for the new smartphone will get additional discounts.

The news of the Galaxy S3's launch in Korea came out on the same day that Apple, Samsung's top competitor in the global smartphone market, kicks off its 2012 Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco.

The annual conference, one of the most important tech events of the year, often serves as a platform for Apple to make key announcements. This year, it is expected to present the future of its operating systems, as well as new Mac computers, TVs and next-generation iPhone.

By Seo Ji-eun[spring@joongang.co.kr]