Apple’s iPhone sales in China are set to receive a significant boost from a new government subsidy program aimed at stimulating the economy. The initiative, announced on Tuesday, allows consumers to benefit from a subsidy of up to RMB 2,000 (approximately $278) on select Apple products, which includes various models of iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. The subsidy program is available for purchases made at the Apple Store in Shanghai or through the Apple Online Store, provided the delivery address is in Beijing. Eligible products include the iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, iPhone 15, and iPhone 15 Plus, as well as several iPad models and the latest Apple Watch variants.
Additionally, the program extends to Macs, such as the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Studio. Consumers can receive a subsidy of up to RMB 500 ($70) on devices like iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches, with a maximum product value of RMB 6,000 ($836). For qualifying Mac models, the subsidy reaches up to RMB 2,000, though upgraded configurations are not eligible. Once customers apply and receive their subsidy coupon, they can use it during checkout at either store.
This subsidy program originally focused on home appliances before expanding to include electronics like smartphones starting in 2025. The initiative has reportedly been successful, with China’s government noting a 26.2 percent increase in year-on-year sales of communication equipment, including smartphones and tablets. Though Apple was initially not part of the program when it launched in January, Tuesday’s announcement marks a shift. With iPhone sales previously suffering a nearly 50 percent year-on-year drop across all non-Chinese smartphone brands, the timing of this subsidy could significantly improve Apple’s sales performance in a challenging market.
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