SK Telecom starts price-cutting in preparation for Galaxy S6

Top mobile carrier SK Telecom has lowered the price of the Galaxy S5 LTE-A version from 899,800 won ($819) to 699,600 won, ahead of the release of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge on April 10.

Two other mobile service providers - KT and LG U+ - are expected to follow suit as carriers tend to adjust the factory price tags of current models ahead of the arrival of their successors.

But SK Telecom also lowered the subsidy for the Galaxy S5 LTE-A model from 201,000 won to 82,000 won, which means the actual amount buyers pay will end up dropping only 81,200 won.

The S6 is expected to cost around 900,000 won for the 32 gigabyte model, according to sources, and the S6 Edge as much as 1.1 million won for the same storage capacity.

The two new Samsung flagship phones will come in 32, 64 and 128 gigabyte versions.

Apple’s next smartphone, the iPhone 6S, set to be unveiled in September, is rumored to have dramatic updates including an edge-to-edge screen and wireless charging, functions that will be available on the Galaxy S6.