Various providers in South Korea have already started selling the Galaxy S5, while the smartphone should not be sold until April 11, according to Samsung’s schedule. However, the providers are temporarily not allowed to connect new customers in the country from April 5.
Among others, SK Telecom, one of South Korea’s largest carriers, has already started selling Samsung’s flagship smartphone for the coming year. “We have decided to release the product to give consumers a wider choice of smartphones before our connection shutdown begins on April 5,” a spokesperson told Businessweek.
That suspension was imposed by the country’s telecoms authority because of illegal discounts that providers gave to customers. The providers are prohibited from connecting new customers for 45 days, but that period falls exactly in the sales start of the Galaxy S5, which starts April 11.
Samsung says it is surprised at the early start of sales and the manufacturer is said to have tried to stop this. “SK Telecom strongly pushed for an earlier release, but we have maintained the position that global sales will begin on April 11,” a spokesperson said.
Just last week, Korean media reported that the Galaxy S5 could come on the market later due to production problems with the camera module of the smartphone.