Apple is offering a discount of up to 500 yuan (approximately RM327) for its latest iPhone in China. This rare price reduction may exacerbate the decline in demand for Apple mobile phones worries for the first time in many years.
Apple quietly launched a discount event on its Chinese official website on Monday. The event is valid from January 18th to January 21st, which is the eve of the Spring Festival shopping season, and the top series iPhone discount is equivalent to about 5%.
The move coincides with China’s growing preference for local brands such as Huawei and its ban on the use of foreign technology equipment by a growing number of government-backed agencies and state-owned enterprises. Analysts say sales of Apple’s new iPhone 15 in China are far lower than the performance of previous products.
Jefferies warned that iPhone sales in China may have dropped by 30% in 2023. Previously, Huawei launched the Mate 60 series equipped with 7nm Chinese-made processors. This achievement was hailed by state media as a breakthrough for China amid U.S. sanctions.
Apple’s Chinese retail partners have made deeper price cuts on the latest iPhones in the past. Apple itself typically offers product discounts before the Lunar New Year every year, but the company hasn’t lowered the price of its latest iPhones in years.
This year’s discounts cover all models from iPhone 13 to iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple will also offer discounts on MacBook Air, most iPad models, select AirPods and Apple Watch SE, according to its website. The company has cut prices on MacBook Air by up to 800 yuan (approximately RM523).
