Slow Sales As Expected
It has been found that about 100,000 units of Apple's iPhone X, the 10th anniversary model of the iPhone, were sold in Korea in just two days. The figure is, however, less than half the number of units of the Galaxy Note 8 sold. Consumers bought 270,000 units of the Galaxy Note 8 released in September, in two days in Korea.
According to the mobile industry on November 26, the iPhone X was launched on November 24 and about 100,000 units were sold in two days until November 25.
The 64GB model of the iPhone X is priced at 1,360,700 won (US$1,224)and the 256GB model at 1,557,600 won (US$1,401), so such high prices led most consumers to get a 25% discount on monthly mobile service charges instead of receiving up to a subsidy of only 120,000 won (US$108).
This year, Apple launched the iPhone 8, an annual series model and the iPhone X developed in honor of the iPhone’s 10th anniversary. The iPhone 8 launched in Korea earlier this month recorded 140,000 units in sales in two days since its launch. Combined sales of the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X which hit 240,000 units fell short of those of the Galaxy Note 8 in two days since its launch. Combined sales of the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X eclipsed those of their previous models, the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus launched last year which stood at about 200,000 units.
"Apple launched the iPhone 8, an annual model of the iPhone series, and the iPhone X marking the 10th anniversary of the iPhone at the same time," said an industry expert. "It is said that iPhone 8 sales were relatively low. But the iPhone X is well received by iPhone fans despite its high price thanks to its symbolism as the model released in honor of the 10th anniversary of the iPhone."
Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics is actively responding to the launch of the iPhone X in Korea by expanding its subsidy for the Galaxy S+ by cutting the price of its Galaxy S8+ 128GB model by 60,500 won (US$54) from current 1,155,000 won (US$1,039) to 1,091,500 won (US$982) in response to the launch of the iPhone X. In addition, Samsung Electronics is holding an event for iPhone users to use the latest premium Galaxy smartphones such as the Galaxy Note 8 and the Galaxy S8 for one month by paying a fee of 50,000 won (US$45).