iPhone fans in Vietnam understand unwritten ‘iPhone rules’: next-generation models 
decrease in price one year after they are launched, when newer generations of iPhone are introduced. 

However, iPhone XR 64GB is now selling at VND19.5 million, a decrease of VND1.5 million. The two other models iPhone XS and XS Max 64GB have also seen prices decreasing by VND3 million and VND4 million to VND27 and VND30 million, respectively.

iPhone XS Max 512GB, the most expensive, has seen the sharpest price decrease of VND5 million to VND39 million.

iPhone fans can buy these models at lower prices if they go to small private shops.

“The sales of 2018 iPhones are significantly lower than their predecessors. iPhone has  lost some of its appeal because of the strong rise of rivals, including Samsung and Huawei models,” said Dang Thanh Phong from The Gioi Di Dong.

Phong said iPhone XS Max has the lowest demand at the chain. “Over VND30 million is a big amount of money,” he said.

Mai Trieu Nguyen, director of Mai Nguyen phone retail chain, said: “Having selling prices much higher than Samsung and other Chinese manufacturers, the 2018 iPhones do not have outstanding designs and features.”

He affirmed that iPhone remains a favorite name for Vietnamese consumers, but its high prices are a problem for many consumers.

iPhone XR has selling prices  from VND20 million for the 64 GB version, which is equal to the price of Galaxy S10 which is being marketed by Samsung.

While 2018 iPhone products do not have big changes in appearance and features, the products of other Android rivals have changed regularly, thus bringing different experiences to users.

Samsung Galaxy S10, for example, is equipped with the original Infinity-O screen, while Huawei P30 Pro has four good cameras.

Owners of private shops which sell iPhone products imported through unofficial channels also complain about the slow sale of 2018 iPhones.

iPhone prices, according to some analysts, have become ‘too high’ compared with the real value of the products.

In related news, both private shops and authorized resellers have slashed selling prices of old-generation iPhones.

iPhone 7 is now offered at VND6 million for the 32GB memory version, a decrease of VND1.2 million. iPhone 7 128 GB is now selling at VND7 million, which means a drop of VND800,000.

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