iPhone 5 profits lost 4S earning 200 yuan per piece

Recently, Apple said that its latest smart phone iPhone5 has sold more than 2 million units in three days in mainland China. By the end of this month, more than 100 countries and regions around the world will usher in the iPhone5.

It is understood that this is the first time that Apple announced the first weekend of the listing of new products listed on the Chinese mainland.

"According to past sales practices, about half of these sales figures come from operators." Forrester Vice President Wang Ping told the "First Financial Daily" reporter that many channels such as Suning and other stores are from operators. With regard to getting goods, the performance of the operators directly affects the sales of Apple in the Mainland. However, he also pointed out that from the sales point of view, the sales volume that operators can drive in three days is also difficult to reach the order of one million. "There may be more reasons for this."

Anonymous mobile phone store owner told reporters that 2 million sales should be Apple's shipments including all levels of dealerships.

It is understood that in addition to Apple's general agents in China, there are telecommunications, China Unicom operators, IT stores such as Bainaohui, Pacific Digital, department stores, industry licensees, CES shopping malls, five major distribution channels, these channels under Points T1 and T2 are two retail channels. T1 can directly pick up the goods from Apple, T2 from the national agency delivery.

Previously, Apple had nearly 100 T1 sales agents in China due to adjustment of its sales channels in China. Unlike the general agent, these dealers must pay the full amount to get the goods from Apple.

"Different from the general generation, these agents are mainly high-quality dealers who are responsible for offline retail sales. The difference between the pick-up price and the retail price is about ten points. However, because the profits are relatively high, they are slowly starting to do wholesale. The person in charge of the above-mentioned mobile phone store stated that after the arrival of the goods, these sales agents changed hands and sold them to their respective local mobile phone dealers to earn intermediate fees. In the past 4S used this method, the price was fired high, but now iPhone 5 comes out, the situation has completely changed.

A Tianjin Apple mobile phone dealer told reporters that the current supply of iPhone 5 in Tianjin area is very sufficient, the dealer's price (wholesale price) is probably between 4960 and 4980 yuan. "Compared to the peak of 4S (sales volume), iPhone 5 is really selling like a general, and now everyone is not out of stock, dealers are dumping goods, the phenomenon of stocking on the market is very serious."

The above-mentioned dealers told reporters that the current wholesale price of the iPhone 5 is the lowest in history compared with the previous sales of more than 6000 yuan for the first 4S.

An Apple dealer revealed to reporters that the profit of an iPhone 4S is at least 500 yuan, but the profit of the iPhone 5 has shrunk. Each profit is about 300 to 400 yuan. "Looking at the current (sales) situation, each profit will probably drop to between 200 and 300 yuan."

“The main reason is that it is still selling well. The best time has passed.” said the person in charge of the above-mentioned store.

The report of the market organization IDC recently pointed out that Apple encountered strong challenges from local brands in the Chinese market, and its market share slipped to sixth in the third quarter of 2012. IDC said that if measured by shipments, Apple’s iPhone ranked fourth in China’s market share in the second quarter, and fell two in the third quarter, and its market share dropped below 10%. However, after IDC expects the iPhone 5 to be listed in China, Apple will see sales rebound in December.

"We also hope to see the next wave (peak sales)." The head of the mobile phone store said.