For Huawei, the initial launch of the Mate XT has been a success, with high demand and scarcity leading to exorbitant price hikes by third-party sellers. However, the same cannot be said for the iPhone 16 series, which was released on the same day. While the iPhone 16 Pro Max, priced at 9,999 yuan, was sold out through official channels, third-party prices failed to hold firm. Despite expectations of an initial price drop on the first day of pre-sales, the magnitude of the price reduction exceeded all expectations. On third-party platforms, the entire iPhone 16 series experienced price drops, with the maximum reduction reaching 700 yuan, which is quite remarkable.

It is evident that price reductions for new phones are directly correlated with their popularity. Surprisingly, the iPhone 16 Plus, considered the least popular model, experienced a 700 yuan price drop. Given that the new phones have only been on sale for one day, this is unprecedented in recent years. Even the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is temporarily sold out on official channels, has seen a 400 yuan price reduction. This suggests that the market and consumers are responding to Apple's incremental updates to the iPhone over the years.

Certain events, once they occur, can reinforce each other and trigger a chain reaction. The significant price drop on the first day of pre-sales not only discourages scalpers but also signals to the outside world that the new iPhone models have failed to meet consumer expectations. Apple's inaction on long-standing user requests has pushed consumer tolerance to its limit, resulting in declining popularity and rapid price drops that question the value of the phones.

Honestly, I'm not optimistic about the initial sales of the iPhone 16 series. The real surge in sales is likely to occur during Singles' Day, when significant price reductions are anticipated. Judging by online reactions, many are unsurprised by these prices, indicating that consumers are becoming more rational when choosing whether to purchase an iPhone. In a way, this is a positive development that may prompt Apple to address user concerns more proactively.

Some may argue that the price drops are spontaneous subsidies by third-party platforms to attract customers and do not necessarily reflect official pricing. However, regardless of the method, the fact remains that prices have dropped on the first day of pre-sales, setting the stage for potential further reductions. This is unfavorable for stabilizing prices in the iPhone 16 series.

Others may suggest that non-official and non-authorized platforms offering price reductions may compromise after-sales service. In reality, most shopping platforms strive to enhance their after-sales services to attract customers, often favoring them. Judging a platform's credibility solely based on this outdated notion is misguided. As long as genuine products are sold with complete documentation and proper communication records with customer service, there's little to worry about in terms of after-sales support.

If you're not in urgent need of a new phone, consider waiting for Singles' Day, when even steeper discounts are guaranteed.