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The real story here is that china had to introduce government subsidies on cellphones in the first place to combat declining sales.
Have a feeling the CCP is going to be dealing with some insane inflation in the near future to cover for all the money they’ve had to print to keep these subsidies flowing, and it will be interesting to see how the domestic and international markets react to that.
Inflation is what the CCP wants rn. Cuz China's major problem now is deflation. Major consumables prices are dropping insanely like property and cars, and people stop spending. Same trend like Japan. Also, China's VAT is 13%, a 15% subsidy capped at 500 yuan is basically a tax rebate, nothing much.
 
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This is desperate move by Apple. Normally, Apple products are sold by AA Resellers with heavy discounts in China. There is a tough competition between them. I don’t think Apple will ever compete with Chinese brands as they have very localized features. And now they have less reasons to buy as they have phones with better integration with cars.
 
This is desperate move by Apple. Normally, Apple products are sold by AA Resellers with heavy discounts in China. There is a tough competition between them. I don’t think Apple will ever compete with Chinese brands as they have very localized features. And now they have less reasons to buy as they have phones with better integration with cars.
Most car manufacturers in China support iPhone integration, that's not a problem. Nio, BYD and xiaomi has apple carkey support. In fact, most chinese phones don't have UWB carkeys, iPhone is the best option.
 
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why would the chinese buy inferior phones when their's are superior? superior people build superior things.
 

Because a new phone is not a benefit to society, the power grid, climate change, or anything of the sort. It's a government-provided benefit to Apple's shareholders..which I am one, but come on...

The problem with rebates is that they require an upfront investment from the consumer, something very many Americans (for example) just don't have. Credit isn't always an ideal option either for a lot of people. On the other hand, lowering the upfront price would make these products more accessible to those consumers while still benefiting the people who could have afforded them anyway.

That is true, and my wife and I are lucky enough that paying for things up front isn't a concern or burden. For electric cars, heat-pumps, energy-efficient windows, insulation, etc., I get it, and perhaps a direct subsidy is a good idea....but not for a cell phone, and not from a company that is only doing to tick-up their declining sales numbers...which is their own fault.
 
You're getting all the functions, that is just the price eupopeans pay for more competition. 😂
Competition drives prices down, not up.
And the poster was right, Europe doesn't get all the features, which would warrant a price drop (and a lawsuit for false advertisement).
In fact AI is entirely missing, iPhone mirroring on Mac as well, etc.
Apple is also removing Apple Watch features that aren't covered by patents in the EU, all because Apple likes to steal and bully companies into yielding their property rights later -- but keeps fumbling even that lately.

That is on top of Apple funnelling tax money through Ireland directly to its and US shareholder's pockets.

Did you decide to wear your ass where your head should be this morning? Cause you're both contrary and wrong.
 
It's for sure not some sketchy CCP surveillance scheme - it's just an economic stimulus because people have slowed their spending and China's dealing with deflation right now.

Regular consumers can now buy all kinds of stuff cheaper - phones, cars, appliances, you name it. Apple products were already getting these discounts through retailers in China. This news is just that Apple's now offering the same discounts directly through their own stores and online store. These subsidies are basically helping Chinese households upgrade to newer tech - electric cars, heat pump dryers, better appliances. It's pretty much like the rebate programs or tax breaks for energy-efficient stuff in the US, just on a bigger scale.
Is there a catch? How does it benefit the government? Subsidizing electric cars you can say has environmental benefits in the long run, but phones?
 
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It'll take Apple forever to do anything.

Huawei has a phone that unfolds twice to the size of a 10.2-inch iPad. When unfolded, it's thinner than Apple's thinnest product, the iPad Pro. And this Mate XT was launched last year.

Apple doesn't have a phone that folds even once. Unless you count iPhone 6.

Price is the only lever Apple has in China.
China has flipped the rep of copying the west to now being copied
 
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