Apple Announces Limited-Time Discounts on iPhone Models in China

Apple is kicking off the new year with an exciting four-day promotional discount event on its iPhone models in China, from January 4 to 7. Customers can enjoy reductions on a variety of iPhone models and other Apple devices when using select payment methods, including Alipay and WeChat Pay.

During the promotion, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16+ will be available at a discounted price of 400 yuan off, while the flagship iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, initially priced at 7,999 yuan ($1,093) and 9,999 yuan ($1,367) respectively, will see a price cut of 500 yuan ($68.50). Additionally, older models of iPads, MacBooks, and iPhones will enjoy price reductions ranging from 200 to 300 yuan.

This strategic move comes as Apple faces stiff competition from homegrown tech companies like Huawei, which have been aggressively targeting cautious consumers in a slowing economy. Huawei has been offering premium smartphones at discounts of up to 3,000 yuan to attract customers.

Despite a slight 0.3% decline in global smartphone sales in Q3 2024, Apple’s sales in China surged by 42% year-over-year. However, November saw China’s inflation hit a five-month low, leading to decreased consumer confidence and tighter spending plans. This environment has put pressure on Apple’s premium pricing, prompting the company to adopt flexible strategies, such as targeted marketing efforts, to remain competitive.

The competition between Apple and Huawei has intensified, especially after Huawei introduced a tri-foldable phone on September 20, 2024, coinciding with the release of Apple’s iPhone 16. Early sales data from Counterpoint Research indicated a 20% increase in iPhone 16 sales within the first three weeks of its launch.

Apple continues to hold its ground among the top five smartphone brands in China, maintaining a 15.6% market share in Q3 2024, despite a slight 0.5 percentage point year-over-year decline. The overall Chinese smartphone market grew by 3.2% in Q3 2024, with 68.78 million units sold. Although Apple remains the second-largest smartphone supplier in the country, Huawei’s innovative product launches have ramped up the competition.