VietNamNet Bridge - Apple’s iPhones are no longer considered luxury smartphones, having become more affordable for middle-income earners.

One year ago, a brand new iPhone 5S transported to Vietnam through unofficial channels, was priced at VND14-15 million for the 16GB version. It is now sold for VND9-11 million. Meanwhile, a used iPhone 5S, nearly brand new, can be bought at just VND5-6 million. 

Nguoi lao dong reporters found after surveying the market that the prices of old versions of iPhones are now equal to Android-based or Windows Phone-based mid-tier products.

Not only imports through unofficial channels, but iPhones provided by authorized dealers have also decreased. iPhone 5C, for example, has seen a price decrease from VND10 million to VND7 million. 

iPhone 4S 8GB version is now sold for VND3.99 million, which is equal to the retail prices of popular Android or Windows Phone products. 

This is the lowest price ever seen for an iPhone model since the iPhone was first distributed in Vietnam.

Nguyen Anh Van, director of CellphoneS, noted that an iPhone had become more common and it is no longer a luxury product for the rich but it affordable to everyone. 

For VND3-5 million, a customer can buy a locked iPhone 4S or iPhone 5C and iPhone 5. Meanwhile, a locked iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C officially distributed by authorized importers are selling for an additional VND1 million. 

Trung, the owner of a mobile phone shop in Cau Giay district in Hanoi, noted that iPhone was no longer the favorite because it had become too popular.

“The rich and super rich do not like using products which everyone can have,” he explained, adding that a 16GB iPhone 5S distributed by FPT is priced at VND12-13 million, while used products within the warranty period can be bought for only VND7 million.

He went on to say that iPhones are getting cheaper because of the appearance of low-priced products, including unofficially distributed phones, and renewed or locked products.

However, an analyst, while agreeing that iPhones are becoming more popular in Vietnam, said that Apple’s products were still favored by Vietnamese, and that genuine products were still expensive.

“Buyers should be warned that they may mistakenly buy low-quality or renewed products,” he said.

The analyst said that although iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were launched into the market just one year ago, many used iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have been available in the market, including renewed ones.

“iPhones, both old and next-generation, are still favored in Vietnam,” he said.

A report of IDC shows that iPhones made up 25 percent of total sales of officially distributed smartphones in the first quarter of 2015.

NLD