Apple Installment Plan: Apple To Offer Financial Help to Chinese Buyers

“Apple dropped to sixth in China’s smartphone market in the third quarter, from fourth in the prior three-month period, as local producers lured buyers with smartphones costing less than 1,000 yuan each, according to researcher IDC.”

Once again, it does not appear that this drop had anything to do with the actual devices offered by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Instead, consumers are shopping based primarily on price.

Mark Natkin, managing director of Marbridge Consulting Ltd., a Beijing-based market research firm, does a nice job bringing this story together:

“There is an enormous mid-range consumer market that they are not tapping into. They’re trying to figure out how to make products more accessible to that market segment. This is a good step in that direction.”

What do you think about this move by Apple? Will this strategy work, or will the company be forced to eventually offer cheaper devices?

Check back here for more updates on Apple Installment Plan.

DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.

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