For a long time, the answer to the question “Which smartphone should I use in Korea?” was almost automatically Samsung Galaxy. During the 2010s, Galaxy phones had a clear advantage in the Korean market. Samsung Pay, compatibility with Korean services, Android apps, local banking applications, and the overall familiarity of the Galaxy ecosystem made it the safest choice for most Korean users.
However, that gap has become much smaller.
In 2026, both Galaxy and iPhone are perfectly practical smartphones to use in Korea. Most major Korean apps are available on both platforms, and services such as banking, messaging, navigation, shopping, streaming, and delivery apps are no longer reasons by themselves to choose Galaxy over iPhone. Apple has also significantly expanded its presence in Korea, while iPhone hardware and software support have become increasingly mature.
As a result, the choice today is less about “Which phone works better in Korea?” and more about which ecosystem and features you personally prefer.
For someone buying a brand-new flagship, either an iPhone or a Galaxy is a perfectly reasonable choice. The situation becomes more interesting, however, when you are considering an older phone or a used device.
iPhone Has an Interesting Advantage With Older Dual-SIM Models
One area where iPhone can actually be surprisingly attractive for used-phone buyers is Dual SIM support.
Apple introduced Dual SIM capability with the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR in 2018. These models support one physical nano-SIM together with one eSIM. In other words, even a relatively old iPhone can technically operate with two phone numbers, provided that the carrier and regional model support the necessary services. Apple officially lists the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR as the starting point for Dual SIM with a physical SIM plus eSIM.
This is quite significant if you are looking at the used-phone market. An iPhone XR or XS may be several generations old, but its Dual SIM capability is still useful for someone who wants to keep a Korean number while using another number for work, travel, or another service.
Apple later expanded this capability. The iPhone 13 and newer models, as well as the iPhone SE (3rd generation), support two active eSIMs, while many other models continue to support a combination of a physical SIM and an eSIM.
There is one important regional caveat: iPhones sold in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau can have different SIM configurations. Certain regional models support two physical nano-SIM cards instead of the usual physical-SIM-plus-eSIM configuration. Therefore, when buying a used imported iPhone, the exact model and country of origin should always be checked.
Samsung Galaxy Supports eSIM Too, But the Timeline Is More Complicated
Samsung eventually adopted eSIM on Galaxy phones as well, but the situation is more complicated than simply saying “Galaxy phones have had Dual SIM since year X.”
The Galaxy S20 series, released in 2020, supported eSIM at the hardware/platform level, although Samsung noted that eSIM availability could vary depending on the country and carrier. Samsung Global Newsroom Samsung Korea's current support information also lists the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra among Galaxy devices that support eSIM.
In Korea, however, the practical availability of eSIM came later. Korean mobile carriers began offering eSIM activation to customers on September 1, 2022. Samsung also notes that eSIM and Dual SIM availability can depend on the specific device, country, and carrier.
This means that when buying a used Galaxy in Korea, you should not simply look at whether the phone is a “2020 or newer” model. You should check the exact model number and Korean eSIM compatibility.
For example, the Galaxy S20 generation is an interesting case because the hardware supports eSIM, but the actual experience of using eSIM in Korea depends on the Korean model, software, and carrier support.
So Which Is Better for a Used Phone?
This is where the iPhone becomes particularly interesting.
If you are buying a relatively old used smartphone and Dual SIM is important to you, an iPhone can be a safer and simpler choice. The iPhone XS/XR generation from 2018 already introduced physical-SIM-plus-eSIM Dual SIM functionality, giving older iPhones a feature that can still be useful today.
With Galaxy, you need to pay more attention to the exact model. Samsung's eSIM support eventually reached the Galaxy S20 generation and later flagship models, but regional and carrier differences mean that the model number matters more when buying second-hand.
This is one of those situations where a phone that looks “old” on paper can still have a surprisingly modern feature set.
What About Payments and Korean Apps?
The old argument that “you need a Galaxy because you live in Korea” is much weaker today.
Galaxy still has advantages in Samsung's ecosystem, particularly if you already use Galaxy Watches, Galaxy Buds, Samsung tablets, or other Samsung products. Samsung's payment and device ecosystem can also be a strong reason to remain with Galaxy.
At the same time, iPhone is no longer an impractical choice for everyday life in Korea. Major Korean apps are generally available on both iOS and Android, and the iPhone experience has become sufficiently mature that most users will not encounter the kind of fundamental compatibility problems that once made Galaxy the obvious recommendation.
Therefore, if you are buying a recent flagship, the decision should primarily come down to personal preference rather than worrying about whether the phone will work in Korea.
My Recommendation
If you are buying a brand-new or relatively recent smartphone, I would not automatically recommend Galaxy simply because you live in Korea. Both Galaxy and iPhone are good choices in 2026.
Choose Galaxy if you prefer Android, Samsung's ecosystem, deeper system customization, or specific Samsung hardware and software features.
Choose iPhone if you prefer iOS, Apple's ecosystem, long-term software support, or the overall iPhone experience. iPhone is also worth considering if you frequently use Dual SIM, especially when shopping for an older used phone.
For a used or older smartphone, however, I would pay much more attention to the exact model, region, SIM configuration, eSIM support, and carrier compatibility. In particular, an iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR from 2018 already supports Dual SIM through a physical nano-SIM and eSIM, while Galaxy requires more careful model-by-model checking.
In other words, the smartphone market in Korea has changed considerably since the 2010s. Galaxy is no longer the only obvious answer, and iPhone is no longer simply an alternative for people willing to give up Korean convenience. For most people using a modern device, either platform works well in Korea.
The biggest difference now is not whether the phone is Korean or American, Android or iOS. It is whether the specific phone fits your preferred ecosystem, features, and usage habits.
And if you are buying second-hand, don't just look at the model name. Check the exact regional model and SIM/eSIM configuration before you buy.
