Apple Counters Sales Drop in China with Unusual iPhone Discounts

In anticipation of the Lunar New Year in China, Apple is going to offer a rare promotional discount on its iPhones. Reportedly, the company will offer a discount of 500 yuan ($70) on its flagship devices. It seems like the company wants to fully benefit from the festivities of the New Year in February. This approach is basically intended to counter the slow sales in the country.

According to details, the promotion is applicable to all Apple products ranging from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Smaller discounts on other popular Apple devices, such as Macs, iPads, AirPods, and Apple Watch models, are also included. The promotion is available from January 18 to January 21. This is quite surprising since the company never offers promotions on its website; rather, the matter is left to the authorized resellers. Interestingly, the company’s website doesn’t offer promotions around the Lunar New Year.

With analysts predicting that last year’s double-digit decrease in iPhone sales will worsen through 2024 due to significant demand in Huawei’s most recent in-house portfolio, the Mate 60 series, the move is part of Apple’s attempt to combat declining iPhone sales in China. Last year, in September, Huawei introduced the Mate 60 series just a few weeks before the launch of the iPhone 15 series. Reportedly, the Mate 60 phones use an in-house 7nm processor. It demonstrates the kind of cutting-edge semiconductor production capability that the US sanctions were intended to stop.

Despite the recent efforts by Apple, sales are believed to be hampered further. Last year, it was also reported that China would ban the use of iPhones in the offices of multiple government agencies and state companies. Right now, Apple is taking all the necessary steps that could help it counter low sales in China. Things will become clear with time.