Next Month's Release of the 'iPhone 16' Series... Expectations as Korea Included Among First Wave Launch Countries

Telecommunications Industry Begins Preparations for Pre-Reservations and Pricing Plans

There is a possibility that South Korea will be included as a first-wave launch country for Apple's 'iPhone 16' series, which will be unveiled next month.

Apple announced on the 26th (local time) that it will hold a new product launch event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, on the 9th of next month (Korean time, the 10th). The domestic telecommunications industry is reportedly preparing plans for pricing and marketing, considering the possibility that South Korea will be included in the first-wave launch countries this time.

Until now, Apple has classified South Korea as a second-wave or later launch country, releasing products about a month after the first-wave launch countries. However, due to sluggish sales caused by competition with local companies in the key market of China and the growing popularity of the iPhone in South Korea, the industry analyzes that the possibility of including South Korea in the first-wave launch countries has increased.

A telecommunications industry official said, "If included in the first-wave launch countries, pre-orders will begin immediately after the unveiling on the 9th of next month."

The poster announcing the new product launch event featured the phrase "Now Shine Anew" along with an image of multicolored light surrounding Apple's logo, the apple. This appears to symbolize 'Apple Intelligence,' the proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) expected to be used in the iPhone 16.

The iPhone 16 Pro model is expected to have a larger screen and additional camera features such as a dedicated photo shooting button. New wearable devices including the Apple Watch and AirPods are also expected to be unveiled.