Chinese Retailers Slash Prices on iPhone 15, Battling for Customers
Chinese retailers JD.com, TMall, and Pinduoduo are offering steep discounts on Apple's iPhone 15. Third-party retailers are also discounting the iPhone 14 Pro by up to 10%. Apple occasionally allows partner vendors in China to offer discounts on its phones.
Major Chinese third-party retailers, including JD.com, TMall, and Pinduoduo, are ramping up their efforts to attract customers by offering significant discounts on Apple's iPhone 15. This move comes just five months after the phone's launch, as Apple faces a slowdown in sales in China.
This round of discounting follows similar substantial discounts offered by online retailers in October. In addition to the iPhone 15, third-party retailers are also offering discounts of up to 10% on Apple's iPhone 14 Pro.
Apple occasionally allows its partner vendors in China to offer discounts on its phones to stimulate demand. The launch of the iPhone 15 coincided with a period of declining sales for Apple in China, where it faces increasing competition from domestic rivals such as Huawei and Xiaomi.
In an unusual move last month, Apple itself offered discounts of up to 500 yuan on iPhones through its official sites.
Currently, the third-party retailers are offering discounts on all four models of the iPhone 15 series, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Some models are being sold at prices up to 1,300 yuan ($180.68) lower than the usual retail price.
Local media reports suggest that these price cuts are part of the upcoming International Women's Day campaign, which falls on March 8th. However, the duration of these promotions has not been specified by the retailers.
Apple, JD.com, Alibaba (which operates the Tmall platform), and Pinduoduo have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these discounts.
The retailers are engaged in a fierce battle to offer the best value for money as consumers tighten their belts in a slowing economy. Discounting has become a key focus during major shopping holidays and events.
According to Reuters, Pinduoduo is currently selling the 128GB version of the iPhone 15 for 4,588 yuan on their website, which is 1,411 yuan less than Apple's retail price of 5,999 yuan. Similarly, JD.com's flagship e-commerce platform is offering the 256GB iPhone 15 Pro Max for 8,899 yuan, compared to Apple's retail price of 9,999 yuan.
Chinese retailers JD.com, TMall, and Pinduoduo are offering steep discounts on Apple's iPhone 15.
Third-party retailers are also discounting the iPhone 14 Pro by up to 10%.
Apple occasionally allows partner vendors in China to offer discounts on its phones.
Source: REUTERS