English|Apple Unusually Offers Discounts in China Ahead of iPhone 14 Production

BEIJING, July 25  (TMTPOST)— Apple launched an unusual promotion in mainland China when the mass production of  its new flagship iPhone is looming.
English|Apple Unusually Offers Discounts in China Ahead of iPhone 14 Production
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Source: Visual China
The promotion, effective from July 29 to August August 1, will apply to three product categories: the iPhone models including iPhone 13 and iPhone 12, iPhone SE (2022), the affordable smart watch Apple Watch SE, and wireless earbud models including AirPods Pro and  (3rd generation), according to a notice at Apple’s website on Monday. Apple only offers discounts for retail buyers who choose one of specified payment options such as Alibaba’s Alipay and Huabei’s payment installment plans, online payment or installments over 12 months provided by three major Chinese banks--China Merchants Bank (CMB) China Construction Bank (CCB) Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).
【English|Apple Unusually Offers Discounts in China Ahead of iPhone 14 Production】The purchase for iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 mini can save each consumer RMB 600 apiece, while for iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 mini, one can save RMB 500. As to orders of iPhone SE (3rd generation), Apple Watch SE, AirPods Pro and AirPods (third generation), consumers can save RMB 200, RMB200, RMB250, RMB250 and RMB 150 respectively. However, Apple said the promotion is only eligible for customers who buy no more than two items from each category, namely, one can buy as many as two products in each category at a discounted price. The company also noted that it would not make up the limited stock if the products sold out.  
This is the first time for Apple to directly offer discounts for flagship products sold at Apple Store and retail stores in mainland China. Chinese netizens speculated that the underlying purpose for the tech giant to run such promotions is to clear out inventory, especially for excess stock of iPhone 13 series.
Recent report signaled Apple had confidence in iPhone sales despite of the cooling demand in worldwide smartphone market. Apple had told suppliers it initially expected the upcoming flagship iPhone 14 to sell better than last year’s iPhone 13 at launch, Reuters cited insiders about two week ago. Apple was said to start the trial production of iPhone 14 and planned to enter into mass production next month. One of the sources said delivery of iPhone 13 from one factory this month were a third higher the same period a year earlier.   

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