Apple Inc. introduced significant discounts of its latest series of iPhone 16 in its markets, in China and India, to see an increase in sales as other competitors are escalating their sales processes and consumer choices are changing too.
In the Chinese market, Apple is conducting direct discounts worth up to 500 yuan, roughly $68 from January 4 to January 7 on models of iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus can be availed with a 400 yuan discount. In addition to this, the promotional event also features discounts on older iPhone models and other Apple products, including the MacBook Air, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Pencil. Notably, the MacBook Air is available with a discount of up to 800 yuan. These offers are based on using WeChat Pay and Alipay, among other payment methods.
Under this scheme, in India, the “Apple Days” event, from December 29, 2024, to January 5, 2025, sees the most significant discounts on the iPhone 16 series. The attractive offer here is a flat 11% discount on the price of the iPhone 16, which initially starts at ₹79,900 and drops to roughly ₹71,000, and goes further down using bank offers to below ₹65,000 for clients who are eligible. In addition, the base model iPhone 16 Pro carries a sticker of ₹1,19,900, though at ₹1,06,900 and some particular credit card promotions.
These price cuts occur as Apple competes with strong local players who have been cutting into its sales, most visibly Huawei, a company that had been capturing an increasing share of market share through expensive devices. On its part, Apple has engaged in aggressive price cuts to keep hold of its competitive edge in targeted markets. In fact, these direct cuts are rare for an Apple flagship from analysts.
Industry analysts believe that these offers may also be a reaction to more general economic issues that are influencing consumer spending. In China, an economic slowdown and property crisis have affected consumer behavior, and companies such as Apple are adjusting their pricing strategies to the situation. In India, competitive pricing is key to winning over a heterogeneous and price-sensitive consumer base.
As the promotional periods continue, consumers in these regions have a limited window to take advantage of these offers. Apple’s strategic pricing adjustments reflect its commitment to adapting to market dynamics and consumer needs, aiming to bolster sales and maintain its competitive edge in the global smartphone market.
BY – NIKITA
