"Hey Meta, how's the weather in Seoul today?"
When a question was posed on the streets of Jongno in Seoul while wearing the artificial intelligence (AI) smart glasses 'Ray-Ban Meta (Gen2)' on the 22nd, the day the product officially launched in Korea, an answer flowed out from beside the ear. "It's cloudy with a temperature of 26 degrees. There may be rain accompanied by thunder and lightning during the day." Shortly after, when it actually began to rain, the wearer requested, "Take a video." Even while holding an umbrella, the street scenery could be filmed wherever the gaze was directed.
SK Telecom (017670.KS), KT (030200.KS), and LG Uplus (032640.KS) began selling Ray-Ban Meta on the 22nd through each company's official online mall and select offline stores. The three carriers, viewing AI glasses as poised to lead the next-generation AI device market following smartphones, have entered a competition to secure an early lead in the market. Underlying this is also the intent to expand their service ecosystems around AI devices and diversify their revenue sources.
Along with the sales launch, the three carriers rolled out discount programs tied to their rate plans and operated experience zones to attract customers. With the retail price ranging from 690,000 won (base model) to 740,000 won (polarized lens model), which is far from cheap, they aim to compete on discount terms.
SK Telecom will first sell six Wayfarer models through its official mall and six stores in the Seoul metropolitan area, while operating experience spaces. Subscribers on rate plans of 100,000 won or more per month receive an installment discount of 12,000 to 24,000 won per month. The company is also reviewing the development of specialized services that link its own AI service 'A.' with the voice and camera interfaces of the AI glasses. This is read as a lock-in strategy to retain the usage experience of its subscribers.
KT began online mall sales on the 22nd and will expand sales channels to general dealerships nationwide from the 3rd of next month, opening experience zones at 11 stores across the country. KT membership customers receive a 10% discount. Those who choose the 'Yogo69 Rate Plan Device Type B' can use it at around 16,000 won per month on a 24-month installment basis.
LG Uplus has offered 'Mania Device' benefits, where the discount range varies according to the rate plan. Subscribers to high-priced plans such as the 69 and 65 plans who bundle a 36-month installment can receive discounts of up to 80%.
Shinsegae I&C is handling domestic online and offline distribution. Starting on the 22nd, Shinsegae I&C supplies the product to the online malls of the three carriers and some dealerships, as well as to Electro Mart inside E-Mart stores nationwide, Lotte Hi-Mart, and SSG.com.
