Chinese E-Commerce Platforms Offer Deep Discounts on Apple’s iPhone 15 Series
By Sophie Yu and Brenda Goh
BEIJING, Oct 23 (Reuters) – Chinese e-commerce platforms, including PDD Holdings’ Pinduoduo and Alibaba’s Taobao, are currently providing significant price reductions on Apple’s latest iPhone 15 series. Some platforms are selling these models for up to 900 yuan ($123) below the original retail price.
According to analysts, the iPhone 15 has not been performing as well in China as its predecessor, the iPhone 14. Counterpoint Research reported a 4.5% decline in iPhone 15 sales compared to the iPhone 14 during the first 17 days after its market launch.
Apple, Pinduoduo, and Alibaba have yet to provide comments regarding this matter.
In an effort to stimulate demand, Apple occasionally allows partner vendors in China to offer discounts. However, Chinese e-commerce platforms have also engaged in a competitive “value for money” battle as consumers adjust their spending habits due to the slowing economy. Discounting has become a major focal point leading up to the annual Singles Day shopping festival.
For instance, Pinduoduo is currently selling the 128 GB version of the iPhone 15 Plus for 6,098 yuan, which is 900 yuan less than the original retail price of 6,999 yuan set by Apple, according to Reuters’ investigation.
Similarly, Alibaba’s e-commerce platform Taobao offers the 512 GB iPhone 15 Pro Max for 10,698 yuan, compared to Apple’s store price tag of 11,999 yuan.
The Economic Observer weekly newspaper first reported these discounted prices on the e-commerce platforms for the iPhone 15 series.
($1 = 7.3171 Chinese yuan renminbi)
Reporting by Sophie Yu and Brenda Goh; Additional reporting by Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Alexander Smith
