On the morning of September 21 in China, as the iPhone 16 series just went on sale, many scalpers instantly found themselves in trouble.
Apart from the desert gold version of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which could barely fetch a profit margin of 50 to 200 yuan, the prices of all other models were below the official website price, leading to an immediate loss situation.
Scalpers, who had stocked up large quantities, were caught off guard and had no choice but to lay the phones out on the ground, adopting a "street stall" mode in the hopes of selling them quickly to minimize losses.
However, the scene was rather bleak, with only a handful of onlookers, and no one seemed to care about the scalpers' anxiousness.
In Douyin live streams, almost all the scalpers were seen squatting in front of their stalls, looking utterly dejected and disheartened.
Accompanied by the gloomy weather and light rain that day, their situation appeared even more pitiful, with the scene filled with helplessness and disappointment.
It’s worth noting that in the past, during Apple's product launches, the frenzy would leave the streets deserted, with scalpers' stock always in high demand, allowing them to make huge profits and bask in their success.
Now, with iPhone sales plummeting, one can't help but wonder: Is Apple, once perched at the top, starting to head downhill?
But in the end, who can be blamed for this?
On the one hand, Apple’s recent product launches have shown a clear lack of innovation. The annual upgrades have been reduced to minor tweaks in color and function, with fewer and fewer changes that genuinely surprise consumers.
Consumers have gradually come to realize this, recognizing that Apple’s “upgrades” are more like “squeezing toothpaste” with only slight adjustments.
For years, Apple has relied on its brand advantage but has lost its early allure due to its lack of innovation.
Not only are the scalpers struggling, but consumers' attitudes toward Apple are quietly shifting as well.
What used to be eagerly anticipated Apple launch events have now turned into tedious sales pitches, and the once passionate fans are no longer as excited. Most people have begun to view the tech giant with a more rational eye.
For many, buying a phone is no longer about blindly following trends but rather about value for money and practicality.
Scalpers, watching their stock pile up day by day, are filled with helplessness and regret.
However, consumers are not loosening their wallets easily, and with Apple’s lack of groundbreaking changes each year, interest naturally dwindles.
The scalpers' stock has gradually turned into a "burden" that's hard to unload.
The past glory and the current desolation—it is indeed a situation that evokes sighs.
If Apple wants to regain the market’s favor, it may truly need to reassess itself and come up with some real innovations, rather than just changing colors or names every year as a token gesture.
This time, with the entire iPhone lineup dropping in price immediately after launch, it may be a warning signal.
Without sufficient innovation to back it up, relying solely on the brand’s accumulated reputation will eventually lead to merciless elimination by the market.
The scalpers' predicament, in some ways, reflects Apple’s current state.
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