Apple iPhone 13 Pro Series, AirPods, Apple Watch Discounted in China, Ahead of Next Generation Devices Debut

Buyers in China will have to use one of a select number of payment platforms such as Alipay, to be eligible for the discount between July 29 and August 1.

By Bloomberg | Updated: 25 July 2022 15:07 IST

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Series, AirPods, Apple Watch Discounted in China, Ahead of Next Generation Devices Debut

Photo Credit: Apple

The iPhone 13 Pro series (left) will be discounted in China between July 29 and August 1

Highlights

Apple has announced four days of discounts on its iPhone 13 Pro series
China’s economy is trying to bounce back from major Covid-19 lockdowns
Apple is expected to launch the next generation of its devices this year

Apple announced a rare retail promotion in China on Monday, offering four days of discounts on its top-tier iPhones and related accessories in advance of the launch of its next-generation devices. The company, usually reluctant to alter pricing, will take up to CNY 600 (roughly Rs. 7,100) off the price of its top-line iPhone 13 Pro series between July 29 and Aug. 1, according to a notice on its website. To be eligible, buyers have to use one of a select number of payment platforms, such as Ant Group's Alipay. Certain AirPods and Apple Watch models are also part of the promotion.

The discounts come as China's economy tries to bounce back from major Covid-19 lockdowns in business hubs Shanghai and Beijing, which have hurt sales of leading domestic smartphone brands from Xiaomi to Vivo and Oppo. Apple bucked the trend by registering healthy growth in China shipments in June, according to national statistics, though the discounts suggest even it has surplus inventory heading into the latter half of the year.

Weakening consumer demand, inflation and supply chain issues triggered a 9 percent fall in global smartphone shipments in the second quarter, research firm Canalys said this month. Chinese companies took the brunt of that hit, registering double-digit declines.

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Apple has traditionally kept iPhone prices unchanged between generations, though this year's economic upheaval has already pushed it to one unusual move: raising prices in Japan in response to the drastically weakened yen.

The company offers several payment options in China, including installment plans and lower pricing for students. But it has refrained from discounting its flagship products in the country for years.

What's most interesting about Apple's new MacBook Pros, M1 Pro and M1 Max silicon, AirPods (3rd Generation), and Apple Music Voice plan? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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iPhone 13 Pro

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Bright, crisp 120Hz display
Excellent construction quality
Good battery life
Great overall performance
Versatile cameras

Bad
Extremely expensive
Bulky and heavy
Display notch in 2021

Read detailed Apple iPhone 13 Pro review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A15 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Battery Capacity 3095mAh

OS iOS 15

Resolution 1170x2523 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 13 Pro Max

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Bright, crisp 120Hz display
Excellent construction quality
Stellar battery life
Great overall performance
Versatile cameras

Bad
Extremely expensive
Bulky and heavy
Display notch in 2021

Read detailed Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max review

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Apple A15 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 15

Resolution 1284x2778 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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