Apple may launch iPhone 16 in South Korea at the same time as US, and why this is ‘big’

Apple is gearing up for the release of its iPhone 16 series, traditionally unveiling the new models in mid-September. However, this year could mark a change with respect to the countries it will launch. A report has suggested that South Korea may be included in the initial launch countries for the iPhone 16, which means that users in the nation may get their hands on the latest models at the same time as the US.
Apple has historically staggered its global releases, with Korea typically receiving the new models weeks after their initial launch. This is in part due to the country's strict certification process for electronic devices that has often delayed iPhone launches in the past.
If the report is accurate, 2024 will be the first year since the iPhone 3GS in 2009 – a period of 15 years – that South Korea will be a part of the initial release wave, indicating a growing importance of the South Korean market for Apple, as per a report by The Korea Times.
However, local telecom carriers remain cautious, citing Apple's strict confidentiality policies.
“Due to Apple’s strategy of keeping communication minimal with its partners, telecom companies are not able to confirm the release date until Apple makes an official announcement,” an industry official told the publication.

The report attributes multiple factors for potential early launch. One of them is the growing tech-savvy population that has complained of delayed launch. Additionally, the country's strict certification process for electronic devices has often delayed iPhone launches in the past.
South Korea's stringent certification process has traditionally delayed the release of new iPhone models compared to other major markets. Unlike regions like Europe and Japan, which have mutual recognition agreements with the United States, Korea mandates a separate certification process for electronic devices.
In Korea, all electronic devices are required to be certified by the National Radio Research Agency, and information on such devices is disclosed through the agency’s website, which may lead to leaking of the new iPhone’s specs and other details.
“These days, the Korean market is serving a role of a testbed for global brands, as its consumers are sensitive to trending items and do not hesitate to spend their money on goods they feel are valuable,” a telecom company official said.
“With the iPhone maintaining its market share, particularly among young Koreans, it seems more advantageous for Apple to release its new models in the Korean market and use positive early sales here as a marketing tool,” the official added.
It is also speculated that iPhone’s decline in demand in the Chinese market may be another factor that Apple may want to allocate more iPhones for early release to Korea.