Chinese e-commerce sites such as PDD Holdings’ Pinduoduo and Alibaba’s Taobao are providing steep discounts on Apple’s current iPhone 15 series, with some selling models for as little as CNY 900 ($123) off the retail price.
According to analysts, the iPhone 15 has not been selling as well in China as its predecessor. According to Counterpoint Research, iPhone 15 sales in China were down 4.5 percent compared to the iPhone 14 in the first 17 days after its market launch. Apple, Pinduoduo and Alibaba did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In China, Apple will occasionally allow partner vendors to provide discounts in order to boost demand. However, as customers tighten their pockets amid a weakening economy, Chinese e-commerce platforms have been involved in a “value for money” war, with discounting a primary feature of the upcoming annual Singles Day shopping festival.
According to Reuters, Pinduoduo is selling the 128 GB iPhone 15 Plus for CNY 6,098, which is CNY 900 less than Apple’s retail price of CNY 6,999.
The 512 GB iPhone 15 Pro Max, which costs CNY 11,999 at Apple’s store, is available for CNY 10,698 on Alibaba’s e-commerce platform Taobao.
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The 512 GB iPhone 15 is available via JD.com for 7,498 yuan, which is 1,501 yuan less than Apple’s official pricing of 8,999 yuan. When asked about the discount, the company stated it was in accordance with a price-cutting strategy it implemented this year.
On Monday, The Economic Observer weekly publication published on the e-commerce marketplace iPhone 15 discounts.
(With input from agencies)