Apple's much-anticipated iPhone 16 series officially hit the markets on September 20th, sparking a buying spree among tech enthusiasts. At an Apple Store in Shenzhen, China, eager consumers and "Apple fans" were seen lining up before the store's 9 am opening, prompting staff to prepare additional queues to manage the influx.

Photo/NBD

The store was abuzz with activity, as customers collected their pre-ordered devices and others explored the new features of the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, which were available for direct purchase. However, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models were not in stock, reflecting their high demand.

Amidst the excitement, resellers were spotted offering a premium of about 300 to 400 yuan for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, particularly the 256GB version. This model was the primary target for resales, while the base models of the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus did not attract the same attention from resellers.

Photo/NBD

E-commerce platforms have also joined the fray, offering significant discounts on the new models. The iPhone 16, starting at 5,999 yuan on the official website, saw a 600 yuan price cut on an e-commerce platform, while the 512GB iPhone 16 Plus, originally priced at 9,999 yuan, had a 1000 yuan discount, leading to a "broken launch" situation where secondary market prices fell below the official launch prices.

Despite the hype, the iPhone 16 Pro series' sales have been below expectations, possibly due to the uncertain launch date of Apple Intelligence in China, a feature heavily emphasized during the product launch.

Apple is banking on AI capabilities like Apple Intelligence to revitalize market demand in the face of economic challenges and competition from domestic Chinese manufacturers. The company is expected to leverage its AI technology to maintain its edge in the competitive smartphone market.

Cover photo/VCG