[Report] 'Sold-Out Frenzy' iPhone 16... "You Need to Subscribe to the 100,000 Won Plan"

Sold Out in Just 10 Days Online and Offline
LG Uplus Offers Up to 450,000 KRW Support
Conditions Require High-Priced Plans... 'Josammosa'

The iPhone 16 series, released on the 20th, has caused an early sell-out frenzy. Checking major dealerships and online stores in Seoul over the weekend revealed that there were no places where popular models like the iPhone 16 Pro could be activated immediately. Despite the condition of maintaining a monthly plan costing around 100,000 KRW for 3 to 6 months, it is enjoying explosive popularity. The 'switching subsidy' introduced by the government to activate number portability was not being provided by any of the three major mobile carriers.

Customers visiting the Apple Store in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 20th, when Apple's first AI smartphone, the 'iPhone 16,' was released in Korea, are seen looking at the product. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

On the 27th and 28th, visits to official dealerships of SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus inquired about purchasing the iPhone 16 Pro White 128GB model, but all three carriers responded that it was currently sold out and customers had to wait. Despite visiting several dealerships, not a single place offered immediate activation. The situation was the same on 'Coupang,' which sells unlocked devices. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models were indicated to be deliverable only by the 23rd of next month. Demand is so high that customers have to wait nearly a month.

The iPhone is generally known to receive fewer subsidy benefits from mobile carriers. Among the three carriers on that day, LG Uplus offered the highest official subsidy, temporarily discounting the device price by up to 450,000 KRW. However, this subsidy comes with the condition of maintaining a monthly plan costing around 100,000 KRW for 6 months. For consumers who usually use plans costing around 50,000 KRW, this effectively means bearing an additional communication fee of about 300,000 KRW.

All models of the iPhone 16 Pro in white color are sold out.
[Image source=KT Homepage]

Also, even if consumers choose the selective discount system that offers a 25% discount on communication fees under the condition of being tied to one carrier for 2 to 3 years, the situation does not differ much. All three carriers unanimously stated, "You must maintain a monthly plan costing around 100,000 KRW for 3 months. This is the company policy." Ultimately, whether it is the device price or communication fees, to receive discount benefits, consumers must use expensive plans for a certain period, leading to criticism that this is merely a case of "a change in appearance but the same substance."

The switching subsidy introduced by the Korea Communications Commission to activate number portability is currently zero for all three carriers. In other words, whether consumers change devices with their existing carrier or move to another carrier, there are no direct benefits returned to them. Dealerships are responding by encouraging bundled discounts or introducing systems where if customers issue specific credit cards and spend a certain amount monthly, part of the installment payment is waived.

A Korea Communications Commission official said, "We are currently inspecting false and exaggerated advertisements mainly in online stores," and added, "Although the official subsidy level varies depending on the plan, it is necessary to look into the condition that consumers must subscribe to a plan costing around 100,000 KRW." He continued, "According to carrier policies, it seems that a certain period must pass before switching subsidies are paid for new iPhones like the iPhone 16."