The iPhone Air sells out in minutes after its launch in China
Apple’s iPhone Air sold out within minutes of its launch in China on Friday, despite the ongoing tariff war between Washington and Beijing. The recent instant sale of the new iPhone highlights its popularity among Chinese consumers, even in the face of competition from Android devices. Strong sales were reported following Apple CEO Tim Cook’s visit this week to promote the product in the world’s largest smartphone market, amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions between China and the US. Cook serves as the chairman of an advisory body at the management school of Tsinghua University in China. During his visit, he also met with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, who leads China’s trade delegation currently engaged in discussions with the US to address tariffs on Chinese exports.
Pre-sales for the iPhone Air, which supports only e-SIM, commenced at 9 am on Friday, occurring more than a month later than in most regions worldwide. Shortly after bookings commenced, the model was completely sold out at all physical retail locations in Beijing and Shanghai, along with cities such as Tianjin. According to the reports, online shipments experienced delays ranging from one to two weeks. The strong demand indicates a favorable response to Apple’s latest and slimmest model in the Chinese market, even amidst increased competition from local brands like Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi, which are working to grow in the premium segment within a tough economic landscape, according to the report.
The Chinese smartphone market experienced a 3 percent contraction year on year in the third quarter, with Vivo securing an 18 percent share to take the lead. Huawei and Apple secured the second and third positions with shares of 16 percent and 15 percent, respectively, followed closely by Xiaomi and Oppo. Cook has emerged as a leading figure among US business leaders, actively engaging with Chinese consumers and government officials. On Thursday, he met with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao to discuss a range of topics, including bilateral economic and trade relations as well as Apple’s growth in China, as reported by the Post.
The CEO emphasized Apple’s dedication to enhancing relationships with China, supporting the nation’s high-quality development and promoting collaboration between the two countries, which he considered vital for global economic advancement, as stated by the ministry. Cook stated on his personal Weibo account that Apple was working with Beijing’s Anzhen Hospital, known for its cardiological research, to investigate how Apple Watch users in China might utilize the device to monitor potential heart issues. He also announced a donation to Tsinghua University aimed at nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders.
