iPhone 7 sales begin in Korea in absence of Galaxy Note 7

The sales of Apple’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus began in South Korea on Friday, amid high expectations that the US tech giant could reap added success here in the absence of Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Note 7. 
Apple officially launched its latest iPhone series through Korea’s three major mobile carriers SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus as well as local Apple retailer Frisbee, with sales starting from 8am local time on Friday. South Korea has long been a tough market for Apple, as Samsung has maintained its undisputed leadership in the local smartphone business, with a market share of approximately 70 per cent. 
However, now, expectations are high that Apple could score new purchases from Korean customers who may be willing to try out the new iPhone, as Samsung has pulled its new smartphone from the market due to battery safety issues.
The 4.7-inch iPhone 7 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus are available in five colours: rose gold, silver, gold, black and the popular jet black edition. However, both run on the iOS 10 operating system. 
Unlike previous models, the iPhone 7 series does not have earphone sockets and are instead accompanied by wireless earphones – a design change made by Apple to make the new devices waterproof. The iPhone 7 is priced at 869,000 won (Bt27,000), while the iPhone 7 Plus costs 1.02 million won for the 32GB model. Prices are higher for the 128 gigabite and 256GB models.
South Korea’s three mobile carriers have begun a fierce competition to attract more iPhone 7 customers to their own retailers, introducing varying subsidies and discount promotions.
In terms of immediate savings, customers can choose to receive either an upfront subsidy, which varies across carriers, or a unilateral 20 per cent discount on the monthly payment plan of their choice.
The three firms have also introduced their own warranty programmes for new iPhone customers.