Chinese retailers slash iPhone 16 prices by up to $350: report

Major Chinese e-commerce platforms are offering steep discounts on Apple's iPhone 16 series, with cuts reaching 2,530 yuan ($351) on premium models, according to a recent Reuters report. However, it remains unclear whether these substantial discounts were officially authorised by Apple or implemented independently by the e-commerce platforms.

According to the report, Chinese ecommerce company JD.com currently lists the 128 GB iPhone 16 Pro at 5,469 yuan ($759) - a 31% reduction from Apple's official 7,999 yuan price tag. Similar discounts appear on Alibaba's Tmall, where government subsidies help bring the same model down to 5,499 yuan. The price cuts precede China's annual "618" shopping festival in June, when such promotions typically peak.  

While it is unclear whether Apple directly authorised the discounts, the tech giant has historically permitted selective price reductions during key sales periods. The promotions come as Apple's Q1 shipments in China fell 9% year-on-year, while local rivals Huawei and Xiaomi saw gains of 10% and 40% respectively, states the report. 

The discounts coincide with broader government efforts to stimulate consumer electronics purchases, including municipal subsidies of up to 500 yuan for sub-6,000 yuan devices. Neither Apple nor the e-commerce platforms commented on Reuters' inquiries about the pricing strategy.