Retailers in China are making efforts to boost demand for the iPhone 15 by slashing prices, according to a report by Bloomberg. The iPhone 15 family has been facing challenges in China since its release, with factors such as the weakening Chinese economy, restrictions on the use of iPhones in government agencies and state-backed companies, and the resurgence of Huawei contributing to its underperformance in the world’s largest smartphone market.

Key points:

– Chinese retailer Tmall, owned by Alibaba Group, has reduced the price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max by $180, which is $60 more than last year’s discount during the same period. JD.com is also offering a similar deal.
– Some retailers have discounted the iPhone 14 Pro by 10% to attract more customers.
– Apple’s official website in China currently does not have any discounts on the latest models, but the company did reduce prices by up to $70 in January – marking a rare discount on new models.
– Reports suggest that Apple is behind the recent discounts, offering promotional prices to third-party channels as part of an early promotion for International Women’s Day.
– Counterpoint Research indicates that future discounts are likely as iPhone sales in China are increasingly reliant on promotions.
– Competition from Chinese companies like Oppo and Vivo is also growing, with iPhone sales declining by 10% year-on-year in January while Huawei saw triple-digit growth during the same period.

Overall, Apple faces challenges in China with its latest iPhones and is responding with discounts to attract more customers amidst tough competition from local brands. Stay tuned for more updates on iPhone sales trends and promotions in China.