Apple has begun offering discounts on its new iPhone 16 series in China, responding to a drop in demand attributed to delays in the rollout of AI features. On the e-commerce platform Pinduoduo, the iPhone 16 Plus with 512GB storage is available for 8,999 yuan ($1,268), a 10% reduction from its official price of 9,999 yuan. The 128GB model of the iPhone 16 is discounted even more steeply, by 11%. Additionally, the high-end iPhone 16 Pro Max with 256GB storage has seen a price cut of 4% on both Pinduoduo and Alibaba’s Taobao, lowering its price to 9,599 yuan.
Alibaba’s Tmall is offering the iPhone 16 with the option of 24 interest-free installments, aiming to attract buyers in a competitive market. The rise of Huawei’s latest smartphones has intensified the competition, further impacting Apple’s sales strategy.
Historically, Apple has been known for maintaining stable pricing without significant discounts on new releases. The current price cuts suggest Apple is facing challenges in the Chinese market, where local brands like Huawei are gaining traction. The delay in integrating advanced AI capabilities into the iPhone 16 series may have contributed to the slowdown in demand, as consumers increasingly seek sophisticated AI features in their devices.
Despite these discounts, the iPhone 16 series remains priced higher than many competing smartphones in China. Apple’s ability to adapt to shifting consumer preferences and the competitive landscape will be key to its success in China and other major markets globally.
