Has Apple's newest phone flopped badly? The iPhone 16 is already selling at a discount in China

Online retailers in China has reduced the rate of iPhone 16, a new series from Apple before its official release because the consumers in the largest smartphone market of the world was eagerly waiting for the Apple's first on-device artificial intelligence software .

Alibaba-Tmall Offers

Pinduoduo, the most popular online shopping platform in China has already started selling iPhone 16 Plus , which features 512 gigabytes of storage for 8,999 yuan (US$1,268), also offering 10 per cent discount from the official price which is 9,999 yuan. The iPhone 16 including a storage of 128 GB was sold at 11 per cent discount in a big event. Both the Pinduoduo and Taobao marketplace of Alibaba Group Holding are giving 4 per cent discount iPhone 16 Pro Max which features the storage of 256 GB. The price got reduced from 9,599 yuan to 400 yuan. Tmall, the online shopping platform of Alibaba, is also offering an opportunity to pay in 24 instalments for new smartphone of Apple without any interest charges, as per the report of South China Morning Post.

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The discount on the latest iPhone 16 is reflecting the weaker demand for Apple's latest device than expected. China is significant as well as a swing market for Apple. The iPhone 16 without AI feature, which will release on this Friday, can affect the consumer interest. Apple has announced that the latest smartphone with AI feature will launch on next month in US English and in several localised English markets in December. It will not be available in China including other languages, until next year. Apple has not yet unveiled regarding the process it will follow to provide Apple intelligence in China because Chinese government always monitors the public access to generative AI technology.

Concerns for Apple-iPhone

Initial reaction regarding the new iPhone is lukewarm. The pre-order sales of iPhone 16 across the globe, experienced a downfall of 13% from the last year's iPhone 15 series because Apple intelligence is absent in the launch. Kuo Ming-chi, analyst at TF International Securities, gave a statement that strong competition in the Chinese market is affecting the demand of Apple.

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According to consultancy Counterpoint Research, Apple has a chance to lose its market share from Huawei to China based on its smartphone segment. It is a warning which was announced in the last month, as specified in South China Morning Post

FAQs

Q1. What are Pinduoduo and Taobao marketplace of Albaba Group Holding offering?
A1. Both the Pinduoduo and Taobao marketplace of Alibaba Group Holding are giving 4% discount iPhone 16 Pro Max which features the storage of 256 GB. The price got reduced from 9,599 yuan to 400 yuan.

Q2. What is the initial reaction regarding the new iPhone?
A2. Initial reaction regarding the new iPhone is lukewarm. The pre-order sales of iPhone 16 across the globe, experienced a downfall of 13% from the last year's iPhone 15 series because Apple intelligence is absent in the launch. Kuo Ming-chi, analyst at TF International Securities, gave a statement that strong competition in the Chinese market is affecting the demand of Apple.