iPhone 16 Lineup Could Launch Earlier Than Usual in Korea

Apple is considering launching the iPhone 16 lineup in Korea earlier than usual due to weakening demand in China, the Korea Times reports.

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective
If correct, this would mark a significant shift for Apple, as Korea has not been part of the initial release countries since the iPhone 3GS in 2009. Apple is expected to launch the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup in mid-September, with an announcement on the 10th being the most probable date based on the company's historical patterns. Sources speaking to the Korea Times claim that preparations appear to be underway for an early release in the country.

Historically, despite the ‌iPhone‌'s strong market share in Korea, new models have been released in the country weeks after their debut in other markets. This is partly due to Apple's rigorous confidentiality policies and Korea's stringent certification system. All electronic devices in Korea must be certified by the National Radio Research Agency, and details about these devices are disclosed on the agency's website, which could lead to premature leaks of new ‌iPhone‌ specifications.

Despite these challenges, Apple appears to be reconsidering its strategy for the Korean market, driven by the country's steady demand and the potential for positive early sales. Data from Canalys claims that Apple's market share in China dropped to 14% in the second quarter of this year, down from 16% a year earlier. This decline pushed Apple out of the top five smartphone vendors in China, potentially providing an opportunity to reallocate inventory to other markets, such as Korea.

Related Roundups: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro

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Top Rated Comments

sw1tcher Avatar
8 months ago

Apple is considering launching the iPhone 16 lineup in Korea earlier than usual due to weakening demand in China, the Korea Times reports.
If iPhone demand is weakening in China, wouldn't it be a better idea to launch the iPhone 16 earlier in, oh, I don't know, China and not Korea? ?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
one more Avatar
8 months ago
I don’t think it will help Apple much, as South Korea has a population of approximately 51 million people vs 1.4 billion in China, so China’s population is roughly 27 times larger than South Korea's. This is peanuts. Instead, Apple could have considered lowering iPhone prices in China and other markets, like India, to boost their sales.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
winxmac Avatar
8 months ago
Maybe it's time for other countries to be part of the first batch of iPhone rollout...

It's the 18th generation already but there are still countries only having the iPhone rollout about 2 to 3 months after the first rollout...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
orbital~debris Avatar
8 months ago
That would be cool.
My – incorrect – impression was that Korea had new editions of iPhone at first launch.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stenik Avatar
8 months ago
This will change the world!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KoreaApple Avatar
8 months ago

But won’t Apple Intelligence only be available in English for a while? Do they speak mainly English in Korea?
No. We speak Korean.
So I think Apple Intelligence is not important to buy iPhone 16.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)