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South Korean iPhone sales reach 2 million
South Korean wireless carrier KT confirmed that it has sold over 2 million iPhones since the handset launched in the country a little over a year ago. After regulatory wrangling, the iPhone finally made its debut in late 2009, and various versions of the handset have been sold exclusively by KT. The iPhone 4 made its debut in September 2010, and KT broke the 1 million iPhones sold mark in October. According to the latest figures, over 1 in every 25 South Koreans own an iPhone, and over 50 percent of these are iPhone 4s. The explosion of the iPhone in South Korea has shaken up the wireless industry in the Korean country by putting pressure on competing wireless carriers and handset manufacturers. KT, formerly Korea Telecom, is the #2 wireless carrier behind leader SK Telecom. The #2 carrier has an exclusive on the iPhone and is grabbing customers from its bigger rival, which offers a variety of Android handsets. The situation mirrors the US, where #2 AT&T has been creeping closer to #1 Verizon Wireless due to the success of the iPhone. Until 2011 when Verizon announced the CDMA iPhone 4, AT&T had enjoyed over three years of exclusivity with the iPhone. South Korea is also the home to handset manufacturers Samsung and LG, both of which are highly regarded in their home countries. Samsung is the manufacturer of the popular Android-powered Galaxy S handset, which has sold over 10 million units worldwide, and the Galaxy Tab, which has sold over 1.5 million units. LG is also on the forefront of the Android world with the Optimus 2X, a 1080P-recording, Tegra 2-powered handset that debuted this weekend on SK Telecom. In the upcoming year, the South Korean market is expected to grow from 6.1 million handsets to 16.2 million. It will be interesting to revisit these numbers next year and see how many iPhones make their way into the hands of the South Korean people.
iPad pre-orders to begin in Korea this week
South Korea's KT Corporation will begin taking iPad pre-orders "this week." Initially banned by the Korea Communications Commission, the iPad eventually passed inspection and has been highly anticipated by customers. KT Corp. hopes to begin shipments in November. All models will be sold, though a firm release date was not available as of this writing. Meanwhile, KT Corp. competitor SK Telecom is preparing to release the Galaxy Tablet. SK holds about half of the country's wireless market. The heat will be on in South Korea when this tablet battle commences. [Via The Mac Observer]
iPhone 4 pre-orders about to begin in South Korea
The iPhone 3G sold tremendously well in South Korea, and now distributor KT Corporation is hoping the latest model will do the same when pre-orders begin on Wednesday. "We hope the iPhone 4 will draw a hot response from clients as the iPhone 3 did," a KT Corp. rep said on Monday, noting that the iPhone 4 should be available in South Korea in September. When iPhone 3G pre-sales began in South Korea, KT Corp. received approximately 65,000 pre-orders. On the day of release, customers had been lined up as early as 26 hours in advance and were rewarded with balloons and a live band. Apple has sold more than 850,000 iPhones in South Korea since the 3GS went on sale in November of '09. Above is a television ad that ran prior to the iPhone 3G's release. [Via MacDailyNews]
