In response to the intensive launch of new phones by Chinese brand mobile phones in April and the approaching of China’s 618 e-commerce promotion, China’s Apple suddenly announced a price cut on its mobile phones on May 15, 2026. The iPhone 17 Pro series was reduced by RMB 1,000. With the trade-in and double subsidies at JD.com’s self-operated flagship stores, the iPhone 17 Pro 256GB starts at a minimum of RMB 6,999, which is the lowest price in history, and is also comparable to the price of Taiwan’s iPhone 17 series mobile phones.
What are the price cuts for China’s iPhone 17 series? Is it worth buying the Chinese version of the iPhone 17 series instead? Here’s an analysis and explanation:
A well-known e-commerce company in China has launched an unprecedented price reduction on Apple iPhone 17 series mobile phones without warning on May 15, with the maximum price reduction of RMB 2,000. Should Taiwanese people cross the border to grab discounts? The following is a summary video and detailed description:
1. Price reduction content of China’s iPhone 17 series mobile phones:
Mainland China’s 618 e-commerce promotion is approaching, and in the Chinese mobile phone market, Apple took the lead in starting a price war in May. On May 15, Apple in China suddenly cut prices on a large scale on JD.com, Tmall and other channels. The iPhone 17 Pro series was directly reduced, plus the mainland’s national subsidies, trade-in and other preferential policies, the maximum price reduction reached RMB 2,000 (NT$9,320), and the original price fell below 7,000 yuan.Among them, the iPhone 17 Pro series has been reduced by RMB 1,000 (NT$ 4,660). After the trade-in and double subsidies from JD.com’s self-operated flagship stores, the price is RMB 6,999 (NT$ 32,000). The iPhone 17256GB is as low as RMB 4,499 (NT$ 20,900). However, this promotion is only available on Chinese e-commerce channels such as JD.com and Tmall. Apple’s official website in China has not started price reductions simultaneously. The iPhone 17 Pro is still priced from 8,999 yuan, and the iPhone 17 is priced from 5,999 yuan.
In response to the no-warning promotion of Apple iPhone 17, Huawei also announced that foldable flagships Mate
According to the latest mobile phone quarterly tracking report from the International Data Corporation (IDC), in the first quarter of 2026, China’s smartphone market shipments were approximately 69.04 million units, a year-on-year decrease of 3.3%. Apple’s mobile phones relied on the iPhone 17 series’ pricing strategy of increasing volume without increasing prices and its consistently excellent second-hand value preservation capabilities to achieve a growth of 33% over the same period last year. Although it lags behind Huawei, it is making progress.
Although China’s May Day holiday has arrived and the mainland’s 618 e-commerce promotion is approaching, Chinese brand mobile phones are limited by the continued rise in memory prices. Although there are new phone launches, this year’s promotion efforts are more conservative than in previous years. According to Counterpoint Research, in the two weeks before and after the May Day holiday in 2026 (including the 18th and 19th weeks), China’s smartphone sales will decrease by 16% year-on-year.China’s Apple iPhone launched an unprecedented promotion without warning through a well-known e-commerce company, and Huawei, the sales leader, followed suit. The two largest mobile phone manufacturers in China entered a price war, which only made matters worse for other Chinese brands (oppo, vivo, Honor, Xiaomi…).
2. Is it worth buying the Chinese iPhone 17 series instead?
After China’s Apple iPhone 17 series mobile phones have received double subsidies, the iPhone 17 Pro 256GB only costs RMB 6,999, equivalent to NT$32,440. It is currently priced at $36,690 at a well-known communications store in Taiwan, which is $4,250 cheaper; iPhone 17 Pro 256GB only costs RMB 4,499, which is equivalent to NT$20,860. It is currently priced at $25,790 at a well-known telecommunications store in Taiwan, which is $4,930 cheaper.
Excluding the double trade-in subsidy, the Chinese version of the 256GB iPhone 17 Pro is priced at RMB 7,999, equivalent to NT$37,070, compared with Taiwan’s famous telecommunications store.
Since the official website of Apple in China has not adjusted the selling price of iPhone 17 series mobile phones, this wave of promotional prices for Apple iPhone 17 by Chinese e-commerce companies is likely to be an independent promotional behavior by e-commerce companies authorized by Apple in China to rush sales, secure supplies for the next generation of new phones, eliminate inventory, or boost e-commerce performance. Since Apple officials have never interfered with the channel promotion prices of authorized dealers, they usually turn a blind eye to dealers’ independent price reductions!
Image source: Official website information of a well-known communications store in Taiwan
Since the SIM card slot design of the Chinese version of the iPhone is different from that of the Taiwan version of the iPhone, Ai services such as Apple intelligence and ChatGPT cannot be used, FaceTime voice and WiFi calling functions cannot be used, SOS emergency satellite rescue is not supported, and some VPN and software in the built-in APP cannot be downloaded. Taiwan authorized repair shops will also refuse to accept warranty repairs because they cannot provide proof of purchase. As the price difference between the empty price and the current price of well-known communication stores in Taiwan is limited, it is not recommended to go to trouble to buy the Chinese version of the iPhone 17 series mobile phones.
Source: KOCPC Chinese