Chinese e-commerce giants, including Pinduoduo and Taobao, have begun offering substantial discounts on Apple’s latest iPhone 15 series. Some models are being sold at prices up to 900 yuan ($123) below the official retail prices. Analysts have noted that the iPhone 15 is not enjoying the same sales success in China as its predecessor, with a 4.5% decline in sales compared to the iPhone 14 during the first 17 days after its launch. This move comes as Chinese consumers are looking for more value for their money, and e-commerce platforms are engaging in fierce discount battles, especially in anticipation of the annual Singles Day shopping festival.
Discount Details:
Pinduoduo, a prominent Chinese e-commerce platform, is offering the 128 GB version of the iPhone 15 Plus at a price of 6,098 yuan, which is a substantial 900 yuan less than Apple’s official retail price of 6,999 yuan. Meanwhile, Taobao, Alibaba’s e-commerce platform, has slashed the price of the 512 GB iPhone 15 Pro Max, which typically retails for 11,999 yuan in Apple’s own stores, to just 10,698 yuan.
In China, it’s not uncommon for Apple to permit its partner vendors to provide discounts as a means of stimulating demand. However, in this case, the broader market trend of “value for money” has prompted Chinese e-commerce platforms to engage in aggressive discounting strategies. The Chinese economy’s recent slowing has led consumers to be more cautious with their spending, making discounts a critical factor in their purchasing decisions.
Response from Key Parties:
Apple, Pinduoduo, and Alibaba have yet to comment on this situation or the reasons behind these discounts.
As the annual Singles Day shopping festival approaches, it is clear that Chinese consumers are seeking opportunities to save on high-value items like the iPhone 15, and this price reduction may be a strategic move by e-commerce platforms to capture a larger share of the market during the upcoming shopping extravaganza.