Apple(US:AAPL) Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-09-15 07:27Core Insights - The luxury attribute of Apple products is gradually weakening, limiting the space for price control and scalper price increases [1][5] - The iPhone 17 series is being sold below official prices on e-commerce platforms, indicating a price war among retailers [1][4] Pricing Dynamics - E-commerce platforms like Pinduoduo have initiated significant subsidies for the iPhone 17 series, with prices for the iPhone 17 256GB dropping to as low as 5099 yuan, approximately 900 yuan below the official price [1] - The iPhone 17 Pro 256GB is available for as low as 8099 yuan, and the Pro Max 256GB for 9099 yuan, reflecting aggressive pricing strategies [1] Consumer Behavior and Market Response - The iPhone 17 series has seen a surge in pre-orders, with over 2 million reservations on JD.com within 6 hours, and nearly 3 times the pre-order volume compared to the iPhone 16 series on Tmall [4] - Various promotional activities, such as discounts and trade-in offers, are being utilized by platforms like Tmall and JD.com to attract consumers [4] Scalper Market Trends - The scalper prices for the iPhone 17 have significantly decreased, with the average transaction price on platforms like Xianyu dropping to around 6099 yuan, and 53% of users expecting further price declines [4][5] - Previously, scalpers were marking up prices by as much as 2500 yuan, but current market conditions have forced them to reduce their premiums [5] Long-term Implications - The trend of iPhone models experiencing price drops shortly after launch suggests a shift in consumer perception and market dynamics, indicating that Apple's luxury branding may be losing its effectiveness [5]