Highlights
- Apple plans to release iPhone 16 first in South Korea to challenge Samsung.
- iPhone 16 expected to hit the market early to mid-September.
- South Korean carriers neither confirm nor deny early iPhone 16 release.
- Apple aims to capitalize on younger generations’ preference for iPhones.
Apple is walking on thin ice while sorting out problems in the Chinese market while also catching up in the AI race.
Moreover, reports indicate that the upcoming iPhone 16 would only have incremental improvements over its predecessor.
In response, the digital behemoth looks toward South Korea as a battleground to challenge Samsung’s supremacy in its home market.
Historically, Apple releases new iPhones in stages across global markets, not always in the initial wave that includes South Korea.
This is a delay, which is done deliberately by Apple because of the strict secrecy policies of the company because the country’s obligatory certification process with the National Radio Research Agency raises the chance of early spec leaks.
South Korea to Get iPhone 16 First?
This year might be a dramatic deviation from the norm, though.
According to Korea’s ETNews, for the first time since 2009, South Korean consumers will be one of the first people to receive the iPhone 16.
Although the country’s carriers have refused to corroborate the notion, they have also refused to refute it.
Citing a rumour, it claims that the iPhone 16 is purported to hit the market early to mid-September.
For reference, the iPhone 15 this year only hit South Korean shelves on October 13, some weeks after the initial major market introduction on September 22.
Going to War with Samsung on Home Turf
Apple has determined that it will do better in South Korea than before.
Reports have it that younger generations in the country are hooked on Apple’s branded smartphones, and this may eventually drive away buyers from Samsung’s goods that focus on AI.
The huge popularity of the iPhone 15 in South Korea upon its release is pretty damning evidence of the region’s importance.
However, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 did very well as well, with its pre-order breaking all records in different areas, including its own country, and outperforming even the triumph of the Galaxy S8.
By launching the iPhone 16 in South Korea first, Apple will be trying to capitalize on its brand’s charm and possibly convince consumers before Samsung fires back with its AI-powered artillery.
This planned move might tip the balances in Apple’s favour, bolstering its position in a market long dominated by the local IT powerhouse.
Whether this gambit pays off or prompts a fierce response from Samsung remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the battle for supremacy in the Korean market is heating up.
Apple iPhone 16 Specs
GENERAL
| Sim Type | Dual Sim, GSM+GSM |
| Dual Sim | Yes |
| Sim Size | Nano + eSIM |
| Device Type | Smartphone |
| Release Date | September 07, 2024 (Expected) |
DISPLAY
| Type | Color OLED Screen (1B Colors) |
| Touch | Yes |
| Size | 6.12 inches, 1200 x 2600 pixels, 120 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 |
| PPI | ~ 447 PPI |
| Features | Super Retina XDR Display, HDR Display, True Tone, Wide Color (P3), Haptic Touch, 1200 Nits Max Brightness (HDR), Support for Display of Multiple Languages and Characters Simultaneously |
| Notch | Yes, Small Notch |
MEMORY
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Card Slot | No |
CONNECTIVITY
| GPRS | Yes |
| EDGE | Yes |
| 3G | Yes |
| 4G | Yes |
| 5G | Yes |
| 5G Bands | 5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n26, n28, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n66, n70, n77, n78, n79) |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes, with wifi-hotspot |
| Wifi Version | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.4, A2DP, LE |
| USB | Yes, Lightning Port |
| USB Features | USB on-the-go, USB Charging |
EXTRA
| GPS | yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| Fingerprint Sensor | No |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
| Sensors | Barometer, Three‑axis Gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Lightning |
| NFC | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Yes, 6 m upto 30 min |
| IP Rating | IP69 |
| Dust Resistant | Yes |
| Extra Features | Satellite Connectivity, Crash Detection |
CAMERA
| Rear Camera | 48 MP f/1.5 (Main) 12 MP f/2.4 (Ultra Wide) with autofocus |
| Features | Panorama, Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Burst Mode, Photo Geotagging |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 24/25/30/60 fps UHD, 1080p @ 25/30/60 fps FHD |
| Flash | Yes, Dual LED |
| Front Camera | 12 MP f/1.9 (TrueDepth) with Retina Flash |
| Front Video Recording | 4K @ 60 fps UHD, 1080p @ 60 fps FHD |
TECHNICAL
| OS | iOS v18 |
| Chipset | Apple Bionic A17 |
| CPU | Octa Core Processor |
| GPU | Apple 4 Core GPU |
| Java | No |
| Browser | Yes |
MULTIMEDIA
| Yes | |
| Music | AAC‑LC, HE‑AAC, HE‑AAC v2, Protected AAC, MP3, Linear PCM, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital (AC‑3), Dolby Digital Plus (E‑AC‑3), Dolby Atmos and Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+) |
| Video | HEVC, H.264, MPEG‑4 Part 2 and Motion JPEG, HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG |
| FM Radio | No |
| Document Reader | Yes |
BATTERY
| Type | Non-Removable Battery |
| Size | 3500 mAh, Li-ion Battery |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Yes, 25W MagSafe |
| Music Playback Time | 100 hours |
FAQs
Why is Apple releasing the iPhone 16 first in South Korea?
Apple aims to challenge Samsung in its home market by capitalizing on the growing popularity of iPhones among younger generations in South Korea.
When is the iPhone 16 expected to launch in South Korea?
According to rumours, the iPhone 16 is expected to hit the market in South Korea early to mid-September, ahead of its release in other regions.
What has been the usual release pattern for iPhones in South Korea?
Historically, Apple has released new iPhones in stages, with South Korea typically not included in the initial wave of launches.
What are the potential reasons for Apple’s change in release strategy for the iPhone 16?
Apple’s change in strategy could be driven by the desire to compete directly with Samsung in South Korea and leverage the growing preference for iPhones among the younger population.
How did the iPhone 15 perform in the South Korean market?
The iPhone 15 saw significant popularity in South Korea upon its release, highlighting the region’s importance for Apple’s market strategy.
Also Read: Apple to Release iPhone 16 Series in Multiple Colours and Premium Titanium Finishes
Also Read: iPhone 16 to Get a Major RAM and Storage Upgrade for AI Capabilities
Also Read: iPhone 16 Pro Series Rumoured to Feature New Colours and Capture Button
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