On Monday Patently Apple posted a report titled "Samsung's Galaxy S9 went on sale in Korea over the weekend to a lukewarm reception." Samsung must be desperate because they're back to promoting a 2 for 1 deal in the U.S. Imagine if Apple did that for the iPhone X. They would have their "shipment" numbers hit a number that would have Wall Street analysts in straitjackets from the shock effect it would have on the market. But for Samsung, it's just desperation because we reported on it over the weekend where their local fans thought little of the S9 launch. To them it was a snore fest.

A Korean report posted today notes that "Samsung Electronics and four major US mobile carriers are conducting a promotion for the Galaxy S9 which offers the smartphone model at the half price or gives one free to those who buy one. By contrast, Galaxy S9 subsidies are small in Korea due to a restraint by the Korea Communications Commission following last year's big discounts of the Galaxy S8.

Verizon Wireless is holding the 'Buy One, Get One Free' Event which returns US$799.99 in the form of service charge credits to customers who buy two units of the Galaxy S9 or S9 + phones in a lump sum or in installments. A US$150 prepaid card is also given to customers as a gift."  

Sprint is offering a "buy one, get one free" program under the lease program 'Sprint Flex' to customers who lease two handsets for 18 months. T-Mobile USA is promoting a program to return US$360, about half of the retailing price of its Galaxy S9 or S9+ in the form of charge credits under a trade-in condition where old phones are given to the company.

AT&T is holding a promotion to offer up to US$395, which is 50% of AT&T's Galaxy S9 price, in the form of charge credits when the Galaxy S9, S9 +, and Note8 are purchased with interest-free 30- month or 24-month installment plans this month."

You could almost understand such a deal for Christmas when sales are at a season high. But giving away a premium smartphone right out of the gate? It's a sign of no confidence in their product and weakness in management overall.

About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.