Hong Kong: Apple is offering discounts on its iPhones in China. The retail prices have been reduced by as much as 500 yuan ($70) in the middle of the growing competitive pressure in the biggest smartphone market in the world.
The US-based tech company has cut prices of some iPhones by 5 percent on its Chinese website. The limited-time promotion comes under the Lunar New Year event, lasting from 18 January 2024 to 21 January 2024. It may lead up to the holidays in mid-February.
China has seen the worst sales of an Apple iPhone with the latest iPhone 15 series . It has been worse than that of previous models. Home brands which are rivals such as Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi offer competitive models.
According to sources, some companies and government departments have limited their staff from using Apple products. Similar to the US Government’s restriction on using Chinese apps. They have placed restrictions on the basis of security issues.
The iPhone sales in China has been dropped by 30 percent at the beginning of 2024 compared to its sales during the same period last year.
Apple has never cut prices for its latest iPhones over the years. The cuts occur after the surprise of bringing in the latest model with the same price as its previous model.
Online shopping platforms including Pinduoduo have been reducing the prices of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro by as much as 16 percent from the beginning of the year.
Mr. Nicole Peng, senior vice president of market research firm Canalys, said that the discounts did not come as a surprise as Apple is under pressure to boost sales globally, especially in China, amid intensifying competition and Apple fans’ growing reluctance to upgrade.
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