APPLE Inc. announced a rare retail promotion in China yesterday, offering four days of discounts on its top-tier iPhones and related accessories in advance of the launch of its next-generation devices.

The firm, usually reluctant to alter pricing, will take up to 600 yuan (US$89) off the price of its top-line iPhone 13 Pro series between July 29 and Aug. 1, according to a notice.

To be eligible, buyers have to use one of a select number of payment platforms, such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s Alipay. Certain AirPods and Apple Watch models are also part of the promotion.

The discounts come as China’s economy tries to bounce back from major COVID-19 lockdowns in Shanghai and Beijing, which have hurt sales of leading domestic smartphone brands from Xiaomi Corp. to Vivo and Oppo.

Apple bucked the trend by registering healthy growth in China shipments in June, according to national statistics, though the discounts suggest even it has surplus inventory heading into the latter half of the year.

Weakening consumer demand, inflation and supply chain issues triggered a 9% fall in global smartphone shipments in the second quarter, research firm Canalys said this month. Chinese firms took the brunt of that hit, registering double-digit declines.

Apple offers several payment options in China, including installment plans and lower pricing for students. But it has refrained from discounting its flagship products in the country for years.                   (SD-Agencies)