Apple Discounts Products in China Amid Fierce Competition

Apple has announced rare direct discounts on its flagship iPhone models and other products in China, signaling an effort to counter mounting competition and fluctuating consumer demand in one of its largest markets.

iPhone 16 Pro
Between January 4 and January 7, Apple will provide discounts of up to 500 yuan (approximately $68) on the iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max models through its website and Apple Stores in mainland China. The iPhone 16 and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus models will be discounted by 400 yuan, while ‌iPhone‌ 14 and iPhone 15 models will receive markdowns of up to 300 yuan. Other products, including the MacBook Air, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Pencil, will also see price reductions, with the ‌MacBook Air‌ eligible for a discount of up to 800 yuan. The promotional items are available in limited quantities, with only 29,300 iPhones included in the sale. The promotion is tied to specific payment methods, such as WeChat Pay and Alipay.

Apple rarely offers direct discounts on its latest products, particularly its flagship ‌iPhone‌ models. Such promotions are usually handled by third-party retailers in China, especially during major shopping events like Singles Day, when platforms like Alibaba's Tmall and Pinduoduo slash prices to drive sales. For instance, during the last Singles Day shopping festival in November, ‌iPhone 16‌ models were discounted by as much as 1,600 yuan on Tmall. The timing of the latest promotion comes as Apple faces heightened competition from Huawei and other Chinese brands, although the company did offer a similar promotion last year.

Tag: China

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Top Rated Comments

Amazing Iceman Avatar
13 weeks ago
I wouldn't call an "aggressive discount" unless it was over $300.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Saturn007 Avatar
13 weeks ago
$41-68 makes that big a difference?!
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
13 weeks ago
One can say any discount from apple is aggressive.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
crzdcolombian Avatar
13 weeks ago
ton of phone companies I never heard of before when I went for work the past 2 years. some of them have insane cameras. I don't think I saw anyone with a Samsung or any Samsung stores at all.

Competition is good !!! Apple wants a insane profit margin on their goods and they can get them because

A.) products are great
B.) Products are cool.
C.) 0 Competition in the US....

think many people dont notice it because of deals some of our carriers here give us but $800-1200 for a phone is insane especially if you have a few people on your plan.

My favorite is T-mobile always tries to get me to change my plan from one that is 7 lines for $120(all phones paid off, 2 free lines) to a plan that is $250-280 but I can get a new iPhone pro every year.

Like na bro I am good.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MajorFubar Avatar
13 weeks ago
Apple's phone dominance is well and truly over except in America. And fanbois can downvote my opinion for all they like, it doesn't change the truth. I'm not celebrating the 'downfall' but it was easy to see it coming when year after year we saw nothing truly innovative.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CEmajr Avatar
13 weeks ago

Apple's phone dominance is well and truly over except in America. And fanbois can downvote my opinion for all they like, it doesn't change the truth. I'm not celebrating the 'downfall' but it was easy to see it coming when year after year we saw nothing truly innovative.
Is it about innovation or is it about price? At the core none of these phones can do much more than the other and I've yet to see any ground breaking innovation from any competitors. Apple just can get away with charging a high premium for their devices in the US since Samsung is the only serious competitor while price competition is much steeper in other countries. Plus the monthly phone financing by the carriers in the US greatly helps Apple in being able to sell $1000+ devices which in turn makes US consumers less sensitive to the total price.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)