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Apple's iPhone 16 Faces Steep Discounts in China as Sales Decline

Chinese e-commerce platforms slash iPhone 16 prices by up to $351 ahead of the 618 shopping festival, highlighting Apple's ongoing struggle with local competition and economic pressures.

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Overview

  • Chinese platforms JD.com and Tmall are offering discounts of up to 2,530 yuan ($351) on iPhone 16 models, significantly undercutting Apple’s official prices.
  • Apple's iPhone shipments in China dropped by 9% in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, while local competitors like Xiaomi and Huawei saw substantial gains.
  • Xiaomi's shipments surged nearly 40% in Q1 2025, with flagship models like the Xiaomi 15 Pro priced well below Apple’s offerings.
  • China's government subsidies on tech products exclude many Apple models due to their premium pricing, further complicating Apple's market position.
  • It remains unclear whether the current discounts are directly initiated by Apple or driven by third-party e-commerce platforms.