Apple discounts new iPhones in China amid increasing smartphone competition
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- Apple is offering rare discounts on iPhones in China for the second year in a row.
- The company faces increased competition in China, where it missed earnings estimates last quarter.
- Huawei's strong sales and potential tariffs on Chinese goods challenge Apple's market position.
Amid increased competition in the smartphone market, Apple is offering customers in China a rare discount on its latest phones ahead of the Chinese New Year.
iPhone 16 Pro models will cost 500 Chinese yuan, or about $70, less, while regular iPhone 16 models will be discounted by 400 yuan. There are also discounts on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models, according to Apple's website.
The promotion starts Saturday and will last until January 7. Apple offered a similar deal in China early last year amid reports of poor iPhone sales.
Competition in the smartphone market continued to heat up in 2024, and Apple missed analyst estimates in Greater China in its earnings report for the fiscal fourth quarter.
Among its competitors is local company Huawei, which sold 1.6 million handsets in six weeks after launching in 2023, according to market research firm Counterpoint Research.
Apple faces additional challenges in China in 2025 with President-elect Donald Trump threatening tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods. The company produces the majority of its most popular tech in China, and high tariffs could lead to retaliatory efforts by the Chinese government.
Apple Intelligence is the main selling point for the new iPhone 16, but the artificial intelligence tech isn't yet available in China, where regulations require foreign businesses to partner with Chinese-owned AI companies.
Apple is reportedly exploring deals with local companies, like Tencent and Bytedance, to bring their AI models to iPhones, Reuters reported.
There's another promotion running for regions outside of China: AppleTV+ will be free for to try out this weekend as the company attempts to attract more paying subscribers.