BEIJING: Chinese e-commerce platforms such as PDD Holdings’ Pinduoduo and Alibaba’s Taobao are offering substantial discounts on Apple’s latest iPhone 15 series, with some selling models up to 900 yuan ($123) below the retail price.
Analysts say the iPhone 15 is not being sold in China as its predecessor. Counterpoint Research said last week that iPhone 15 sales in China have seen a 4.5% decline in the first 17 days its market launch, in comparison to the iPhone 14.
In China, Apple occasionally allows its partner vendors to offer discounts to stimulate demand. However, Chinese e-commerce platforms have been actively engaged in a “value for money” battle as consumers tighten their belts amid a slowing economy, with discounting a key focus of the upcoming annual Singles Day shopping festival.
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Pinduoduo is presently offering the 128 GB version of the iPhone 15 Plus at a price of 6,098 yuan, which is 900 yuan less than Apple’s retail price of 6,999 yuan.
The 512 GB iPhone 15 Pro Max, typically priced at 11,999 yuan price tag in Apple’s store, is available for 10,698 yuan on Alibaba’s e-commerce platform Taobao.
