Huawei’s comeback in China revolved around the Mate 60 series launch, with all models powered by the Kirin 9000S selling in droves and putting the entire competition, including Apple, on notice. In the coming months, the trillion-dollar entity faced immense difficulty getting the ball running in terms of iPhone shipments until it introduced discounts up to $318 on a bevy of products that saw momentum return in the company’s direction. With the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max also needing to pick up the pace in China, a report states that Apple has launched a New Year sale in the region, where select products can be purchased for up to a $110 price cut.
New Year sale will run from January 4-7, with the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max receiving a discount of 500 yuan, or $68.50
The requirement to avail of the discount, as reported by Global Times, is that customers must use eligible payment methods, though the post on X did not mention the details. With the eligibility criteria met, various products can be purchased with up to an 800 yuan discount, which converts into roughly $110. Apple will also be discounting the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, offering up to a 500 yuan, or $68.50 price cut, but the discount may be higher depending on the storage variant.
Being the largest market in the world for smartphones by volume, China holds immense significance for Apple, with the discounts issued on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max a guaranteed strategy to push sales during this brief period. The offer could further be sweetened by the arrival of Apple Intelligence’s generative AI features, but the company is having some trouble as it needs to partner with a local firm like ByteDance and Tencent to bring their AI models to iPhones.
On Thursday, #Apple China unveiled a New Year sales event set to last from Jan 4-7. During this period, customers who purchase select products using eligible payment methods can save up to 800 yuan ($110) instantly. The promotion spans almost the entire spectrum of Apple… pic.twitter.com/EcAV0WtFFd
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) January 2, 2025
Apple’s approach to offering discounts on iPhones and other devices could be due to its desire to show better follow-through when it announces its next quarterly earnings. Given that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have barely been changed compared to their immediate predecessors, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, a small price cut could go a long way to encouraging customers to upgrade.
News Source: Global Times
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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