Korea sees runaway iPhone 4S advance demand

Apple saw record demand for iPhone 4S pre-orders in South Korea, local reports mentioned. About 200,000 of the devices were sold in advance in one day at both KT and SK Telecom. Demand was so high, the Chosunilbo said, that websites crashed the same day.

Korea's native Galaxy S II has sold relatively slowly in the country by comparison. Although Samsung accumulated three million pre-orders worldwide, it sold only 120,000 in Korea in the first three days, including both on-the-spot sales and pre-orders. Apple doesn't ship the iPhone 4S to the country until November 11 and will likely have more pre-orders as well as extra release day sales.

Samsung has been hoping to stop Apple in its home country, although it may not contain Apple for launch. The company is hoping to get an iPhone 4S ban, but it might wait only until the iPhone is available. Its strategy might rely on the same 3G standards patents it has been using in other countries, although this is a risk as Samsung has lost in 3G disputes before.

Demand for the iPhone 4S, despite being a superficially mild refresh, has been hot in other parts of the world. In relatively nearby Hong Kong, pre-orders sold out in 10 minutes, according to checks. Apple sold a total of four million iPhone 4S units worldwide in its first weekend, when the smartphone was only available in seven countries.

By Electronista Staff

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