Apple’s latest smartphones have made a strong start in South Korea. The iPhone 18 Pro launch in Korea attracted hundreds of customers at Apple Myeongdong in central Seoul, with some fans arriving hours before the store opened.
The launch also came with another interesting development. While customers were picking up the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, many were already talking about Apple’s upcoming foldable phone, the iPhone Duo.
iPhone 18 Pro Launch Brings Apple Fans to Seoul
Apple Myeongdong opened its doors at 8 a.m. on Friday, September 18. Employees welcomed customers with applause as the first buyers entered the store.
Some dedicated fans had spent the night outside. One customer reportedly arrived at 7 p.m. the previous evening and waited for around 13 hours.
By 7:30 a.m., about 150 people had gathered outside the store. Around 300 customers later arrived to collect their preordered phones.
South Korea has also remained an important first-wave market for Apple. The country has received the latest iPhone lineup among the early launch markets for three years in a row.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at 1.99 million won in Korea, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at 2.19 million won.
iPhone Duo Creates a New Buying Decision
The excitement around the new Pro models was not the only topic inside the store. Customers were also discussing Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, which is expected to arrive next month.
For some buyers, this created a difficult choice: upgrade to the familiar Pro model or wait for Apple’s new foldable design.
| Model | Main Appeal | Buyer Interest |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro | Proven design and camera upgrades | Strong |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | Larger Pro experience | Strong |
| iPhone Duo | Foldable design and new form factor | Growing |
One customer who bought the iPhone 18 Pro said he had considered waiting for the iPhone Duo. However, after looking at its expected unfolded size, he felt the Pro Max already offered enough screen space.
Concerns about durability were also mentioned, showing that some buyers remain cautious about Apple’s first foldable device.
Galaxy Users Still Have Strong Reasons to Stay
Apple’s popularity is growing, but Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem remains deeply familiar to many Korean consumers.
One visitor who used a Galaxy phone said he was buying an iPhone for his son but had no plans to switch himself. After years with Galaxy, he felt changing phones would be inconvenient.
This highlights an important part of the Korean smartphone market. Apple can attract new users, but long-time Galaxy owners may prefer the system they already know.
Camera Features Remain a Major Attraction
Camera improvements are another reason customers are upgrading to the iPhone 18 Pro.
For people working in video production, the new variable aperture camera feature is especially interesting. One customer said this feature was the main reason for his upgrade, expecting it to produce more natural results than software-based background blur.
With strong interest in the iPhone 18 Pro and growing curiosity about the iPhone Duo, Apple’s smartphone strategy in Korea is entering an interesting new phase.
