Sales pressure is forcing retailers to lower the price of the iPhone 17e.
On the evening of March 2nd, Apple officially added the iPhone 17e to its ecosystem, positioning it as the most affordable device in the entire 17th generation product line. According to the schedule, the device will be available in Vietnam on March 11th in three color options: black, white, and rose gold. The initial listed price is 18 million VND for the 256GB version and 24.5 million VND for the 512GB storage version.
Although the delivery date hasn't arrived yet, some authorized Apple dealers (AARs) in Vietnam are proactively adjusting retail prices to boost sales. Specifically, the 256GB version has been reduced by 500,000 VND, bringing the actual price down to 17.5 million VND. Meanwhile, the 512GB version has seen an even deeper price reduction of up to 1 million VND, settling at 23.5 million VND.
The iPhone 17e may have less appeal in Vietnam, similar to its predecessor, the iPhone 16e.
Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo
In terms of design, the iPhone 17e largely reuses the frame of its predecessors. It uses a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, reinforced with scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2 glass, but retains the "notch" instead of switching to the modern Dynamic Island design.
In return, Apple focused all its resources on internal hardware power. The device boasts an advanced A19 processor, coupled with Apple's own C1X network modem, delivering twice the data transfer speed of the 16e generation and 30% less energy efficiency compared to the modem on the 16 Pro series, according to the company. It still supports USB-C fast charging and integrates MagSafe; however, a weakness is the continued use of a single 48MP camera in a market where triple-camera setups are more common.
iPhone 15 prices are rising in the opposite direction.
The price adjustment of the iPhone 17e has created internal competition within Apple's market. At 17.5 million VND, the latest model from Apple is now cheaper than even the 128GB version of the iPhone 15 (which is offered for sale from 18 to 18.3 million VND).
Unlike the usual downward trend in electronics prices over time, the iPhone 15 has seen continuous price increases in the past few months. Compared to the end of 2025, the price of this device has been pushed up by about 1 million VND due to the impact of USD exchange rate fluctuations, shrinking supply, and changes in Apple's sales policies.
The iPhone 15 continues to attract customers thanks to its good price and features that meet everyday needs.
Photo: Reuters
Despite being discontinued (after Apple launches the iPhone 17 in September 2025) and the increasing scarcity of color options, sales of the iPhone 15 in Vietnam have not only not decreased but have also grown steadily, consolidating its leading position in the sub-20 million VND segment. In fact, the demand for the iPhone 15 even surpasses that of its younger sibling, the iPhone 16e.
This reality also partly reflects the consumer needs of Vietnamese people. Although models with the "e" suffix (such as 16e, 17e) possess advantages in processing power, support for Apple Intelligence , and optimized battery life, they still fail to satisfy the aesthetic appeal. Vietnamese users are willing to overlook internal technical specifications to prioritize the iPhone 15 with its professional dual-camera design, diverse and youthful color palette, and the Dynamic Island display area, a distinctive feature of modern iPhones.
The success of the iPhone 15, the best-selling phone globally in 2024 (according to Counterpoint Research), is proof that trendy design and visual experience still directly influence consumer purchasing decisions, forcing retail chains to constantly adjust prices to closely follow the actual supply and demand dynamics, not just based on how long ago the device was released.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/iphone-17e-rot-gia-truoc-ngay-len-ke-185260310095205692.htm
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