iPhone 17 goes on sale, prices of older models drop significantly.

The fact that Vietnam is reportedly among the first markets to launch the iPhone 17 has caused concern among those importing goods, fearing they will no longer have opportunities to make a profit.

Although the "Awe Dropping" event to introduce Apple's new product line – with the iPhone 17 series as the centerpiece – won't take place until 0:00 on September 10th (Vietnam time), the domestic smartphone market has already been gearing up for several weeks.

Smartphone sales continue to rise.

According to reports, iPhone prices have continued to drop sharply in recent days. For example, the iPhone 16 Pro Max 256 GB has dropped by nearly 5 million VND, now below 30 million VND/unit, while the iPhone 16 Plus 128 GB is now 21 million VND/unit. The iPhone 15 series has also seen similar price reductions, with the 128 GB version now costing 15 million VND/unit and the Plus 128 GB version costing 18 million VND/unit. Older iPhone models have seen even deeper price drops, with many iPhone 12, 13, and 14 models now falling below 10 million VND/unit.

It is expected that after the iPhone 17 is released, the prices of older models will drop further, with the extent of the reduction depending on the popularity and influence of the newest product on the market.

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Yen (Binh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) decided to buy an iPhone 15 Pro Max for nearly 21 million VND, a significant reduction from the initial launch price of 35 million VND. "I usually buy older iPhone models and don't chase after the latest releases because the price suits my budget and avoids wasting money," Ms. Yen explained.

Like Ms. Yen, many customers are taking advantage of the price reductions on older iPhone models before the official launch of the iPhone 17 in Vietnam. The significant price drops create an opportunity for users who want to upgrade but don't need or can't afford the latest technology to still access the iPhone models.

Notably, although some customers are waiting for new products, which has somewhat affected iPhone sales, the overall impact is negligible, and sales have maintained a slight increase. Models priced under 20 million VND – including brands like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, etc. – remain popular with customers, becoming the driving force behind maintaining sales momentum for retail stores at this time.

As usual, older iPhone models are seeing significant price drops ahead of the latest iPhone release.

Will there be crowds waiting to buy?

Following reports that Vietnam might be one of the first markets to launch the iPhone 17 on September 19th, along with Singapore and Thailand, authorized dealers say they are still awaiting official announcement.

"If this information is accurate, then it shows that Vietnam is becoming an increasingly important market in Apple's global strategy," commented the director of a smartphone retail chain.

Statistics from iPhone retail systems show that sales revenue on the launch day of both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 in Vietnam exceeded 1 trillion VND, making the Vietnamese market a bright spot for Apple's growth.

However, the possibility of Apple including Vietnam in the group of markets for early iPhone 17 sales will significantly impact those who import goods. Mr. H., a specialist in importing technology goods in Ho Chi Minh City, often flies to Singapore or Thailand to queue up to buy iPhones during each launch event.

"Some customers are willing to pay up to 100 million VND to get their hands on a new iPhone on the first day. Each customer in line is allowed to buy two phones, so even if only a small number are purchased, I still make at least tens of millions of VND in profit each launch season," Mr. H. recounted.

Furthermore, in recent years, many tech enthusiasts and some KOLs have been flying abroad to experience the feeling of being the first to touch an iPhone, which has also made imported iPhones less attractive.

"Vietnam becoming a Tier 1 market not only helps domestic consumers access iPhones sooner but also eliminates the illegal import of iPhones, which creates huge price discrepancies," commented a representative of a major distribution system.

In Vietnam, dealers are calculating the expected price for domestic consumers, but it is usually not much different from the US market thanks to increasingly strict official distribution policies.

However, in the early stages, the parallel import market still had opportunities to "follow suit," as many people were willing to pay a few million dong more to own the product early instead of having to wait for delivery in the order of deposit.

A manager at a distribution unit (who requested anonymity) said that immediately after Apple launches the iPhone 17 series globally, domestic dealers will simultaneously begin accepting pre-orders on September 12th. "Previously, some retail systems often organized delivery events starting at midnight to attract customers. But if Vietnam becomes an early launch market, deliveries will only be allowed from 8 AM on September 19th, eliminating the crowds and long queues from midnight," the manager said.

The price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max is $1,199.

Besides the iPhone 17 series – including the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and 17 Air – the "Awe Dropping" event is expected to launch other products in the Apple ecosystem such as the Apple Watch and AirPods. According to foreign sources, at least two new Apple Watch models and the AirPods Pro 3 wireless headphones will introduce new features incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) to some extent.

Notably, the iPhone 17 and Apple Watch will go on sale globally on Friday, September 19th, in keeping with Apple's tradition of choosing the second or third Friday of September after the launch event to begin sales.

The starting price for the iPhone 17 is likely to be $799, the iPhone 17 Air could be $949, ​​the 17 Pro $1,099, and the 17 Pro Max $1,199.

M. Phuong

Source: https://nld.com.vn/iphone-17-mo-ban-gia-may-doi-cu-giam-sau-196250909193230346.htm