Apple and Samsung duke it out in South Korea
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South Korea’s capital Seoul is one of the world’s most technologically advanced, known for its rapid Internet speeds and advanced infrastructure.
It was one of the first to introduce city-wide free Wi-Fi, and 5G will be introduced commercially in 2019. It is the home of global tech titans Samsung and LG. But in one way Seoul lagged behind other cities.
Apple announced the opening of their first retail stores in May 15, 2001. Four days later, on a Saturday, the first ever Apple stores opened in Maclean, Virginia, and Glendale, California. “The Apple stores offer an amazing new way to buy a computer,” said the late Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO at the time.
Over the years more stores opened, going on to stock the iPod, the Macbook Air, and the iPhone. Tokyo got its first Apple store in 2003. London a year later. Beijing in 2008. And the Middle East in 2015 with Dubai’s Apple store.
But South Korea, the 11th largest economy in the world and one of the most technologically advanced, saw its first Apple store open on January 26, 2018.
In the Apple outlet is located in Garosu-gil,we see a fashionable street in trendy Gangnam-gu, popular with tourists and chic locals. Inside the pristine and meticulous store, lined with four potted trees at its entrance, were a busy amount of people.
Ju-Won Shin, 38, an accountant, was sitting down at a table looking to buy an iPhone SE, while already owning an iPhone 6S and iPad Pro. What does he think of Apple? “Their products are easy to use, refined, and have a good vibe,” he said. Shin preferred Apple to Samsung because “they’re constantly trying hard to make good quality products.”
Another store wanderer was So-ri Lee, 22, a waitress at a cafe, who was browsing phone cases. So-ri had an iPhone 8 and had been using it for two years. Before that she owned a Samsung Galaxy Mega. She said she preferred iPhone because she loved the design– “it’s pretty and easy to use, and now I’m used to iOS,” she said.
Questions & Answers
Q.Why did South Korea get its first Apple Store so much later than other major cities and regions?
Why did South Korea get its first Apple Store so much later than other major cities and regions?
Despite being a technologically advanced nation and a major economy, South Korea's first Apple Store opened in January 2018. Other significant cities like Tokyo and London had stores much earlier, in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
Q.What reasons did South Korean consumers give for preferring Apple products over Samsung?
What reasons did South Korean consumers give for preferring Apple products over Samsung?
Ju-Won Shin preferred Apple because he felt their products are easy to use, refined, and consistently high quality. So-ri Lee liked the iPhone's design, found it easy to use, and was accustomed to the iOS operating system.
Q.Where is the first Apple Store in South Korea located and what is the surrounding area like?
Where is the first Apple Store in South Korea located and what is the surrounding area like?
The first Apple Store in South Korea is situated in Garosu-gil, a fashionable street within the trendy Gangnam-gu district. This location is popular with both tourists and local residents.
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