Apple seeks to 'recover' losses in China.

Users in Shanghai and Beijing can receive a subsidy of up to $278 when purchasing certain devices directly from Apple.

Users experience the iPhone 16 in an Apple store in Beijing. Photo: Bloomberg .

Earlier this week, Apple announced its participation in China's national subsidy program. According to SCMP , this is a solution to help the company increase its competitiveness amid economic instability and pressure from domestic rivals.

Users in Beijing and Shanghai can receive discounts of up to 2,000 yuan (approximately $278 ) when purchasing certain iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and MacBook devices directly from Apple stores.

According to the terms, Shanghai users need to purchase at one of the eight Apple stores in the area to qualify for the subsidy. Meanwhile, Beijing users can purchase from the online store, setting a delivery address within the capital.

Apple said that some iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches priced under 6,000 yuan ( $836 ) will receive subsidies of up to 500 yuan ( $69 ), while some Mac computers will be discounted by up to 2,000 yuan ( $278 ).

This is the first time Apple has implemented a government subsidy program through its official retail channel. Previously, some products distributed on e-commerce platforms such as JD.com or Taobao were eligible for subsidies.

Apple's participation in the subsidy program comes as iPhone sales in China are projected to decline by 1.9% in 2025, due to competitive pressure from domestic brands like Huawei and a slowing domestic economy.

According to market research firm IDC , the fact that many iPhone models are not included in the subsidy program (priced below 6,000 yuan) is one of the reasons for the decline. Conversely, overall smartphone sales are projected to increase by 3% due to the subsidy program boosting demand for Android phones.

iPhone sales in China fell 9% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, making Apple the only smartphone brand in the top 5 to record negative growth. For comparison, Xiaomi's sales increased by 39.9%, while Huawei's increased by 10%.

"Apple's sales decline stems from its premium pricing structure, which prevents it from qualifying for subsidies," said IDC analyst Will Wong. He emphasized that Xiaomi's growth largely comes from subsidies, which encourage consumer purchases.

The national subsidy program, launched by the Chinese government earlier this year, aims to encourage consumer spending. Devices including smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches priced under 6,000 yuan can receive subsidies of up to 15%, with a maximum of 500 yuan per item.

Some Apple devices, such as the iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, and iPhone 15, qualify for subsidies due to their starting price of 5,999 yuan. Meanwhile, the Pro and Pro Max models are more expensive, costing over 6,000 yuan.

According to SCMP , Chinese users are not very impressed with the Liquid Glass design language on iOS 26, which Apple introduced in early June. In comparison, Chinese competitors are constantly launching new AI features, while Apple is still waiting for regulatory approval to release Apple Intelligence in the country.

Source: https://znews.vn/apple-tim-cach-go-gac-tai-trung-quoc-post1563662.html