Major Chinese e-commerce platforms JD.com, Pinduoduo (parent company of Temu), and Alibaba’s Taobao are offering significant discounts on Apple’s latest iPhone 15, with some prices dropping by as much as 1,501 yuan ($205.14) below the retail price.
The move comes as the iPhone 15 faces weaker sales in China compared to its predecessor, according to Counterpoint Research, reports Reuters.
JD.com is offering the 512 GB iPhone 15 for 7,498 yuan, a discount of 1,501 yuan ($280 CAD) from Apple’s official price of 8,999 yuan. Pinduoduo has priced the 128 GB iPhone 15 Plus at 6,098 yuan, 900 yuan ($168 CAD) less than Apple’s retail price of 6,999 yuan.
Meanwhile, the 512 GB iPhone 15 Pro Max, priced at 11,999 yuan in Apple’s store, is available for 10,698 yuan on Taobao ($243 CAD off).
The discounts come as Chinese consumers are tightening their belts amid a slowing economy. E-commerce platforms are focusing on offering value for money, particularly as the annual Singles Day shopping festival approaches. Apple occasionally allows its partner vendors in China to offer discounts to boost demand.
But in Canada and the U.S., Apple does not lower pricing until its current line up is replaced by a future generation.
JD.com stated that the discounts align with their strategy of offering low prices launched earlier this year. Apple, Pinduoduo, and Alibaba have not yet commented on the discounts, which were first reported by the Economic Observer weekly newspaper.
Last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited China and also apparently secured support from the country’s Commerce Minister in a meeting.
