14 DAY TRIAL // Demand for the Apple Watch Series 4 is much higher than in the case of the new iPhone XS on the Chinese market, according to local reports.
The high price of the iPhone XS generation may impact sales on one of the world’s largest smartphone markets, despite Apple tweaking its devices with features specifically aimed at customers here.
iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max come with dual-SIM support in China using a traditional two-SIM configuration, while the devices come with eSIM support elsewhere.
But reports from Chinese-based Sina and Xinhua indicate that demand for iPhone XS and iPhone XS has been impacted by the high price, with only a few customers, including scalpers, waiting in front of Apple Stores ahead of the public launch.
The linked sources claim the demand was much higher last year when Apple launched the original iPhone X, but it’s worth noting that in 2017, the supply was also constrained and only a few units were actually sent to China.
iPhone XS too expensive
However, scalpers admit that the price of the new-generation iPhone makes the device less attractive for local buyers. Top iPhone XS Max with 512GB storage costs 12,799 yuan ($1,865) in China, while in the United States, the same version is priced at $1,449.
Given the high price and the lackluster demand, scalpers say their business is impacted as well and fewer customers are looking to buy the new iPhones.
On the other hand, Apple Watch Series 4 is selling like hotcakes in China and waiting times on Apple’s website have increased to three to four weeks. iPhone XS ships in one to two weeks in China.
In the United States, the waiting time for iPhone XS has dropped to just two weeks, while the Apple Watch Series 4 with GPS and cellular should arrive on your doorstep in approximately 4 weeks.