Retailers slash prices of older iPhones as new models season nears

By Phong Ngo May 26, 2025 | 08:57 pm PT

As new iPhone models near release, older versions like the 13 have dropped by up to VND500,000 (US$20) at major retailers in Vietnam, boosting sales despite discontinuation.

Dan Tri newspaper quoted retail chains as saying the end of the second quarter marks a slow period in the mobile market, especially for iPhones, as consumers prefer to wait for the release of new models or price cuts on older models once the new ones arrive.

So to sustain sales, retailers run numerous promotions.

The iPhone 13 is now priced at VND11.5 million, down VND500,000 from last month. The 14 and 14 Plus are priced at VND12.5 million and VND18 million for the 128GB version, and the 15 and 15 Plus at VND15.5 million and VND19 million.

"This time of year there are no new products launching," Van Thi Ngoc Yen, Apple product manager at Di Dong Viet, said. "After price adjustments, many older models have become an optimal choice for customers."

iPhone 14 models. Photo by VnExpress/Tuan Hung

A spokesperson for Minh Tuan Mobile said sales of older iPhone models picked up marginally following the price cuts, and 13, 14, and 15 now account for more than 40% of total sales.

Apple discontinued the 13 in September 2024 after the release of the 16 series. The 14 and 14 Plus were also removed its lineup following the announcement of the iPhone 16e in February this year. But demand for them has continued to rise in Vietnam.

"The sales of iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 have now increased by 2.5 times compared to February," Nguyen Lac Huy, a communications representative at mobile phone retailer CellphoneS, said.

"Last year iPhone sales decreased by 20% in Q2 from Q1. However, with ongoing promotions from Apple and retailers, we estimate that iPhone sales in Q2 will rise by 5%."