Affiliate Disclosure
If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read our ethics policy.

Apple negotiating to sell iPhones in LG's Korean stores, report claims

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro

Last updated

Reportedly, Apple is in negotiations get the iPhone into LG Best Shops in Korea, following LG's exiting of the smartphone retail business.

Following its decision to cease manufacturing and selling its own smartphones, LG Electronics has reportedly been discussing partnering with Apple in Korea. The company runs over 400 stores, called LG Best Shops, in the region.

According to Business Korea, such a deal would either see Apple staff joining the stores, or LG employees trained on iPhone sales. Either way, the intention is to create separate Apple sections of the stores.

If the reports are correct, however, there is an issue over other Apple products.

Business Korea claims that Apple wants LG to also sell its Macs in these stores. It's because LG is continuing to make and sell its own, laptop, the LG Gram, and reportedly the company does not want to also stock MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, or Mac Pro computers.

An LG Electronics spokesperson did not deny the negotiations.

"Nothing has been decided yet," he or she told Business Korea. "We are exploring all possibilities."

Separately, a partnership between LG's parent company and Magna, has been believed to be in discussions with Apple regarding the manufacture of the "Apple Car."

Keep up with everything Apple in the weekly AppleInsider Podcast — and get a fast news update from AppleInsider Daily. Just say, "Hey, Siri," to your HomePod mini and ask for these podcasts, and our latest HomeKit Insider episode too.

If you want an ad-free main AppleInsider Podcast experience, you can support the AppleInsider podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple's Podcasts app, or via Patreon if you prefer any other podcast player.

AppleInsider is also bringing you the best Apple-related deals for Amazon Prime Day 2021. There are bargains before, during, and even after Prime Day on June 21 and 22 — with every deal at your fingertips throughout the event.



2 Comments

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

Well, LG has to do something to stay relevant... and then there’s Samsung to contend with.

Beats 3073 comments · 4 Years

Actually this doesn’t sound bad. If Apple can also strengthen their relationship with an ex-iPhoney maker they could join forces and beat Sammy in their own territory.

400 LG stores in one region is crazy!! Apple has about 515 in the world. This would be a HUGE win for Apple ESPECIALLY if LG can upgrade their old phone users to real iPhones.

I don’t think Apple could lose here even if they cannot sell Macs. The Mac sales will come naturally from iPhone sales.