More Affordable iPhone 16: Why it could be a Bigger Deal for Malaysians?

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Apple has slashed the prices of its iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models in Malaysia, with the iPhone 16 now RM400 cheaper and the iPhone 16 Pro dropping by RM200. For the past couple of years, Apple has maintained an almost regular RM200 to RM300 price increase here in Malaysia, so this price cut came as a surprise to many.

The iPhone 16, now priced at RM3999 (the iPhone 15 was RM4399), and the iPhone 16 Pro at RM5299 (the iPhone 15 Pro was RM5499), still offer high-end features and tech specs such as A18 Bionic chipsets that are upgrades over their predecessors. But what could be the reasons behind this significant price drop? What could happen because of it?

Taking a look back at the past, let’s focus on the base Apple iPhone model and their Malaysian price tags when they were released:

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Currently, the Apple iPhone 16 is actually RM400 less than when the iPhone 15 was released

 

Why the Apple iPhone Price Cut?

At this point in time, Apple has not revealed anything official, so we are just discussing possibilities, several of which may have contributed to the price drop.

  1. 1 USD to RM4.34 Currency Rate? Some of our writers say that this price drop is mainly due to the better Malaysian Ringgit vs the US Dollar currency exchange rate. However, back in 2021, the exchange rate was even lower. Despite that, the iPhone 13's price didn't decrease but remained the same as the iPhone 12.
  2. Economic Conditions: Global supply chain challenges, currency fluctuations, and changes in consumer spending habits could be factors. Recently, Apple moved several of their manufacturing plants outside of China such as India, which some of our writers say could also be a reason. Sales of the iPhone in markets outside of the US like China have dropped as well.

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Could the iPhone 16 price drop be due to the Ringgit-Dollar exchange rate?

 

How It Affects Other Phone Brands

The price reduction of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro could put pressure on other phone brands in Malaysia. After all, if your latest flagship phone is priced at RM3999, are you confident enough that Malaysians wouldn't just choose an iPhone 16 instead? These brands might also need to rethink their pricing strategies to stay relevant, potentially lowering prices or offering more features to justify higher costs.

Malaysian consumers, on the other hand, will benefit the most. With Apple lowering its prices, buyers have more options within their budget. This could push other brands to offer better deals, especially on flagship models.

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As Malaysians, we're all thinking about our smartphones, aren't we?

 

Conclusion - More affordable Future Flagships?

Overall, we believe the recent price drop of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro is a strategic move by Apple to stay competitive. This decision is likely to impact other phone brands and provide consumers with better options. However, since no other brands have made any moves in response to this price drop, we’d recommend waiting and seeing what comes next before you buy any new phone.

On the other hand, for Apple users, if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your phone, now could be a great time to take advantage of these new prices. Are you planning to buy the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 16 Pro now that the price has dropped? Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for the latest tech news and reviews!