Samsung Electronics’ latest flagship smartphone Galaxy S6 is still sold at more expensive price in the Korean market than in other nations, a local lawmaker pointed out recently. Both lawmakers and market watchers have raised concerns that Korea’s tech giants dominating the local smartphone market are discriminating local consumers by selling their products at costlier prices.
According to data revealed by Moon Byung-ho, a lawmaker of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, the price of Samsung’s new smartphone Galaxy S6 averaged 825,000 won ($757) in nine countries including the United States and Japan, 4 percent down from 850,000 won sold in the local market.
The price gap is even higher in the U.S. market and the Canadian market where they are sold at 700,000 won and 750,000 won respectively.
“Despite the continued criticism raised in Korea, smartphones of local manufactures are sold at more expensive prices in the local markets than in other nations,” Moon said.
“The government should regulate the unfair practices of the smartphone makers, which constantly discriminate local consumers,” he added.
Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhone6 is sold at cheaper price in the local market. The price stood at 780,000 won, 5.9 percent lower than the average price of 830,000 in nine countries.
By Lee Kyung-ho (info@koreaittimes.com)
