The four models of Apple iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Series 8, which were unveiled in September, began to be sold in Korea from the 7th through directly managed stores such as Apple Garosu-gil, Yeouido, Myeong-dong and Jamsil, resellers such as Frisbee , and three mobile carriers.
The majority of users who chose to receive the product at the Myeongdong Apple store on this day chose the iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max. In fact, in the online reservations made from September 30, the stock of iPhone 14 Pro was quickly reduced, while iPhone 14/14 Plus has relatively little space.
■ Fewer queues with online orders and early morning delivery
A few years ago, many consumers stayed up all night from the previous night for various reasons, such as self-satisfaction and fast delivery.
However, after the opening of Apple Garosu-gil in 2018, you can receive the product at any time by ordering and paying online. Online channels like Coupang and mobile carriers also operate early morning delivery.
In fact, a user who was waiting at Apple’s Myeong-dong waiting for the early opening at 8 o’clock said, “I made an order to pick up the product on the way to work because it’s nearby,” he explained.
Here, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the scenes of many people waiting in line with each other have completely disappeared. Apple Myeong-dong, which opened at around 8 o’clock, two hours earlier than usual (10 o’clock), appeared to have more workers waiting inside than consumers waiting to receive the product.
■ “I prefer the pro with a better processor, notch and camera”
The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are powered by the same A15 Bionic as the iPhone 13 released last year, and the rating for Face ID recognition is the same. When the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 of the same color are placed side by side, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish them except for the height of the camera lens.
On the other hand, the iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max has the biggest difference compared to its predecessor, as the built-in processor has been upgraded to the A16 Bionic and the notch has been reduced significantly.
The increase in the number of pixels of the rear wide-angle camera to a maximum of 48 megapixels is also one of the causes of the pro-focus phenomenon. A user who visited Myeongdong Apple to pick up the 8:30 time slot also said, “I chose the iPhone 14 Pro because of the better camera.”
An official from a major online retailer predicted, “It won’t be easy to buy the iPhone 14 Pro line in Korea until November.” However, the deep purple color, which has a relatively low preference among the four colors, can be received after ordering as early as the 8th.
■ Possibility of increased sales when Apple Pay is served in Korea
Apple increased the number of directly managed stores, which are centers of product, service and experience sales, by two this year. The Myeongdong store opened in April and the Jamsil store opened in September. LG Best Shop’s iPhone distribution and teenagers’ preference for iPhones, including middle and high school students, are also factors that can predict future market share growth.
Related articles
In addition, whether Apple Pay enters the domestic market is one of the variables that will affect iPhone sales growth. Although Apple and Hyundai Card, their domestic expansion partners, were silent, on the 6th, a contract was leaked which specified the start date of the service as ‘November 30’ (see related article).
A user who received the iPhone 14 Pro Max at 8 o’clock the same day said, “I’ve been using Samsung Pay, which can only carry a smartphone, but I decided to try the iPhone after the news that Apple Pay would does it. begin service in Korea within this year.”
