Samsung Dominates Mobile Market in Phablet-Heavy South Korea, Apple Devices Have Just 14% Share

[MacRumors]

As Samsung's home country of South Korea approaches connected device saturation, Apple's share of the market is dwarfed by Samsung's share, according to a new report from mobile analytics firm Flurry.

Of a total of 33,527,534 active smartphones and tablets in South Korea, Apple iPads and iPhones make up 14 percent. Samsung devices, including larger phone/tablet hybrids, make up 60 percent of all connected devices. LG and Pantech are also popular in the country, with 10 and 15 percent share, respectively.

Based on rapid device adoption in 2011 and 2012 and slowing adoption numbers in 2013, Flurry suggests South Korea is the first market to approach connected device saturation, serving as an early indicator of what smartphone adoption might look like in other worldwide markets as mobile market growth begins to slow.

As shown in the graph, that growth has slowed markedly in the past year or so, and has even been negative in some months. That implies that the South Korean connected device market either already is, or will soon be, the first in the world to reach saturation. As such, it provides a good early indicator of what other markets can expect once the rapid growth period the mobile market has experienced over the past few years ends.

Unlike other parts of the world, however, phone/tablet hybrids more commonly known as "phablets" are highly popular in South Korea. While 41 percent of connected devices in South Korea are phablets, the hybrids remain fairly unpopular in the rest of the world, making up just 7 percent of the market. Tablets were also more popular worldwide, making up 19 percent of connected devices, compared to just 5 percent in South Korea.

As noted during Apple's third quarter financial results call, though the iPhone remains less popular in South Korea, it topped a customer satisfaction survey [Google Translation] in the country, outpacing Samsung by two percent.

As companies like Samsung, LG, and HTC continue to produce larger smartphones, Apple too is said to be experimenting with additional iPhone sizes ranging from 4.8 inches to 6 inches, which could shift more of the market in Samsung's home country towards Apple in the future.

Article Link: Samsung Dominates Mobile Market in Phablet-Heavy South Korea, Apple Devices Have Just 14% Share

 

[Klae17]

Samsung Phone in Korea bring great honor.

 

[ItsWelshy]

Newsflash!

People with little money and low wages buy cheap junk rather than premium products

In other news, Ferrari aren't selling many cars in Congo.

 

[SgtPepper12]

To be honest, I'm surprised it's that much. I'd expected a lot less than 14%.

 

[TC03]

I'm really interested why Apple simply hands the big screen market over to Samsung without any resistance.

 

[KdParker]

This makes since since it is Samsung's home country, but I still can't get past the thought of using android.

And how big are these phablets?

 

[TC03]

Newsflash!

People with little money and low wages buy cheap junk rather than premium products

In other news, Ferrari aren't selling many cars in Congo.

South Korea, ignorant being, not Myanmar or Mongolia.

 

[cclloyd]

I'm fine with Apple making a 6" phone. For Korea. Not America.

While I have nothing against them making it for America, and other places, they shouldn't make it an advertising point if people prefer a smaller screen size.

 

[bp1000]

Rubbish

They photoshop every iphone into a S4

 

[nick_elt]

Wow. Hasnt macrumors forums gone downhill lately.

 

[Stella]

Shocker. A South Korean company doing very well in its home country!

Apple does very well in its home country too....

Very much a non story.

 

[CFreymarc]

The "phablet" term has to be one of the most synthetic and irrelevant market designations to come out of MBA-land in years.

It is classic "raising the bridge" cutting out survey points to make a mediocre product look like it is performing well.

 

[Dookieman]

I'm surprised Apple is at 14% in South Korea.

Plus, it makes sense that Samsung does well there. Samsung is headquartered there.

 

[Klae17]

I'm fine with Apple making a 6" phone. For Korea. Not America.

While I have nothing against them making it for America, and other places, they shouldn't make it an advertising point if people prefer a smaller screen size.

Or sell both.

 

[QCassidy352]

I've never understood phablets. You lose the portability of a phone and the screen size of a tablet. Maybe if you carry a purse or bag at all times? But in that case, I'd go even bigger, to at least an ipad mini. A 6" phone just seems like the worst of all worlds.

 

[Mebsat]

This makes since since it is Samsung's home country

In other news, they seem to like those Hyundais more than VWs.

 

[QCassidy352]

Phablets fit in pockets just fine. iPad minis do not. It's super portable and you save a lot of money.

not in my experience. I guess it depends on the pocket. a suit jacket pocket would work just fine. a regular pair of jeans (not skinny jeans or anything), not so much.

 

[Tankmaze]

Samsung sell more phones in their home country.
Pretty much sums it up for the bigger market share.

Although LG is also korean, but their 15% share still beat the iphone

 

[irDigital0l]

Good for Samsung. If you can't maintain dominance in your home country you're kinda of screwed.

Still not buying their smartphones, tablets, phablets, etc.

 

[bassfingers]

'Phablet' is a bad product category. It is also a really lame sounding name for a product category. Really awkward to say or spell.

Sounds like something a mom would come up trying to be 'hip'

 

[Chrjy]

I'm an Apple fan and not afraid to admit it, have been for 25 years.

I have to say that even though people on these forums are apparently against bigger phones, I guarantee when Apple releases one, most will be raving about it.

To some degree I understand a bigger screen on a phone, I wasn't really too sure about the idea but essentially this is the way phones are going and as long as it doesn't become ludicrous then I do see the potential of a bigger screen.

 

[Zmmyt]

Looks like Samsung knows what they are doing. Not sure if the whole "phablet" thing will stick with westerners though.

 

[Rockadile]

This makes since since it is Samsung's home country, but I still can't get past the thought of using android.

And how big are these phablets?

5 - 6.9 inch

It shows on the graph

 

[Konrad9]

Newsflash!

People with little money and low wages buy cheap junk rather than premium products

In other news, Ferrari aren't selling many cars in Congo.

What is the price of an iPhone 5S there compared to a Samsung Galaxy S4?

 

[4nNtt]

Newsflash!

People with little money and low wages buy cheap junk rather than premium products

In other news, Ferrari aren't selling many cars in Congo.

Huh? South Korea is probably higher wage then the United States.