High-End Pro and Pro Max Models Most Popular
Pre-Sales Surpass 36.5 Billion Won in Just 30 Minutes
Despite the escalating US-China tensions, the popularity of the iPhone 15 in China remained strong. It sold out within just one minute of the start of pre-orders.
According to Hong Kong media 'Ming Pao,' the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max officially went on pre-sale on the Chinese e-commerce platform 'Tmall' on the 16th (local time). Both models sold out within one minute of the sale start.
The official Apple website also crashed due to a surge of visitors within 10 minutes of the sale launch, and it was reported that all on-site stock for the first day was reserved within 30 minutes of the sale start. On another Chinese e-commerce platform, 'Meituan Waimai,' sales of the iPhone 15 series surpassed 200 million yuan (approximately 36.6 billion KRW) within 30 minutes of the pre-sale.
The most popular models currently are the high-end lineup of the iPhone 15 series, the Pro and Pro Max. Due to soaring demand within China, pre-orders are expected to be delayed by about 2 to 5 weeks.
Regarding this, a Tmall representative told the media, "We had to replenish stock nine times within 30 minutes after the sale started," adding, "The iPhone 15 Pro Max is selling the fastest, and the iPhone 15 Pro sales are also high."
The iPhone 15 series appears to be navigating smoothly despite the intensifying US-China standoff. Earlier, on the 6th, the US media outlet 'The Wall Street Journal' (WSJ) reported that the Chinese government issued guidelines banning its officials from bringing foreign devices, including iPhones, into offices. Following this news, Apple's stock price plunged 3.6% intraday.
However, the Chinese government later refuted the report, stating, "No policy document banning the purchase and use of foreign brand mobile phones such as Apple has been issued." Nonetheless, they acknowledged, "There have definitely been security incidents related to iPhones," emphasizing that "the Chinese government places a high priority on internet security."
Meanwhile, China's leading telecommunications equipment manufacturer 'Huawei' attracted attention by unveiling the 'Mate 60 Pro,' a smartphone made with domestic technology that bypassed US sanctions. Among some local consumers, a so-called 'patriotic consumption' wave emerged, encouraging the purchase of Huawei products even deliberately.
Meanwhile, Apple had already secured the top spot in the Chinese smartphone market before the release of the iPhone 15. According to the market research firm 'Counterpoint,' as of the fourth quarter of last year, Apple's market share in China was 22%, surpassing domestic manufacturers to claim first place. Following Apple were Oppo, Vivo, Honor, and Xiaomi, in that order.
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