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Shoppers bag cheaper Galaxy phones in rural counties through voucher loophole

Published: 10 Mar. 2026, 13:20 Updated: 11 Mar. 2026, 13:56

Samsung Electronics' Galaxy 26 series phones are pictured in this photo provided by the company on March 5. [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

South Jeolla’s rural counties of Goheung and Haenam have unexpectedly become hotspots for bargain smartphone purchases as consumers take advantage of steep discounts through local gift certificates.

The discounts became possible after the repeal of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act, allowing consumers to stack smartphone purchases with locally issued voucher benefits.

Posts circulating on online communities say buyers have purchased Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S26 series — which sells for between 1.25 million won and 2.54 million won ($850 to $1,730) — at significantly lower prices in Haenam by using the vouchers.

One user said the discounts cut more than 750,000 won from the purchase price.

“I bought [the Galaxy S26] in Haenam and saved more than 750,000 won after getting a discount through local gift certificates,” the user wrote.

“I had never even been to the area before, but now I’m benefiting from it. I guess I’m an honorary Haenam resident now.”

Local gift certificates are issued by municipal governments to support small businesses and boost local economies. Registered merchants within the municipality accept the vouchers, but large supermarkets, department stores and directly operated franchise outlets cannot.

Local governments typically sell the certificates at discounts of about 5 to 10 percent because buyers can only use them at designated merchants. Goheung and Haenam offer higher discounts of around 15 percent.

As word spread that the vouchers could be used to purchase smartphones, users on social media began sharing their experiences.

“It works in Goheung too. I’m an honorary Goheung resident,” one user wrote, while another said, “I’ve boarded the train to my second hometown, Haenam.”

A sign for preorders of the Samsung Galaxy S26 is posted at a mobile carrier store in Seoul on March 2, ahead of the series’ official release on March 11. [YONHAP]

A representative at a store in Goheung said preorders for the Galaxy S26 reached about 30 units, roughly 10 times higher than usual. The series will officially release on Wednesday.

“Once payment and the mobile plan registration are completed, we send the device to the customer’s home by courier,” the worker said. “Consumers are actively taking advantage of benefits from gift certificates that were originally introduced to promote local consumption.”

In practice, each person can load up to 500,000 won onto the vouchers. The purchase provides a 12 percent upfront discount plus 3 percent cashback, creating a discount effect of about 75,000 won.

If three family members each purchase vouchers and combine them for the purchase, the total discount could reach up to 225,000 won.

Some critics say the practice conflicts with the original purpose of the local vouchers.

“Is it really right for someone in Seoul, who has never visited Haenam to buy a phone from there online?” one user asked.

Others defended the purchases.

“The phone stores are still local businesses, so it’s not illegal and there’s no problem,” one user argued, while another said, “After the repeal of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act, there’s no other way to get discounts.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY SHIN HYE-YEON [[email protected]]