The launch of iPhone 15 brought a rollercoaster of emotions for Apple and its fans. Initially, everything looked promising, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max attracting a lot of attention.
However, news of a drop in demand for these smartphones soon began to spread, especially in China.
Generous discounts in China
According to information from Reutersjust weeks after the launch of the new iPhone, several stores in China are selling these devices for prices well below their original values.
Some of the stores that are offering generous discounts include JD.com, Pinduoduo and Taobao, which is owned by the Alibaba group.
To give you an idea of the magnitude of these discounts, the entry-level iPhone 15, for example, can be purchased in China for up to 1,501 yuan, which is equivalent to around US$205.14 less than the original price.
Even the most expensive version of the model, with 512GB of storage, is now selling for 7,498 yuan, compared to the original 9,000 yuan. The 128GB iPhone 15 Plus costs 6,098 yuan, instead of the initial 7,000 yuan.
Image: blackxperience/Yandex
In addition to the entry-level models, the most sophisticated ones are also being sold at considerable discounts. The 512GB iPhone 15 Pro Max, for example, was spotted on Taobao with a price of 10,698 yuan, when the original price was 12,000 yuan.
Reaction from companies
When asked about the reasons for these discounts, Apple, Pinduoduo and Taobao did not provide official statements.
However, JD.com reported that the discounts are part of a strategy launched by the company this year, which aims to offer newly launched devices at more affordable prices.
The initial expectation was that these discounts would be offered on 11/11, which, in China, is known as Singles Day. The fact that these offers appeared earlier than expected indicates that demand is lower than expected.
Data from Counterpoint Research, released last week, indicates that sales of the iPhone 15 are 4.5% lower when compared to sales of the previous year’s models, which were also not very impressive.
Among the reasons for this drop, the slowdown in the Chinese economy and competition from local companies stand out, particularly Huawei.
The sale of discounted iPhones 15 in China is a clear indication of the challenges Apple faces in the Chinese market. The anticipation of discounts suggests weaker demand than expected, and fierce competition from local companies is one of the main reasons for this trend.
A Apple and other companies involved will have to find strategies to attract consumers in a highly competitive market.
