2025 National Subsidy Policy: Detailed Explanation of the Trade-in Subsidy for Digital Products like Smartphones, Tablets, and Smartwatches

2025 National Subsidy Policy: Detailed Explanation of the Trade-in Subsidy for Digital Products like Smartphones, Tablets, and SmartwatchesOn January 8, 2024, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance jointly issued a notice announcing the expansion and intensification of a large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in subsidy policy in 2025. This policy provides subsidies for individual consumers purchasing three categories of digital products: smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches/fitness trackers

2025 National Subsidy Policy: Detailed Explanation of the Trade-in Subsidy for Digital Products like Smartphones, Tablets, and Smartwatches

On January 8, 2024, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance jointly issued a notice announcing the expansion and intensification of a large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in subsidy policy in 2025. This policy provides subsidies for individual consumers purchasing three categories of digital products: smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches/fitness trackers. The subsidy applies to products with a single-unit sales price not exceeding RMB 6,000. The subsidy amount is 15% of the product's sales price, capped at RMB 500 per product. Each consumer is limited to one subsidized item per product category. The policy aims to stimulate consumer spending and promote the upgrading of electronic products. However, the actual applicability of the subsidy varies among different brands and models of smartphones. This article will provide a detailed interpretation of the subsidy's applicability to major smartphone brands.

Core Points of the Subsidy Policy:

• Eligible Products: Smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches/fitness trackers.

• Price Limit: Single-unit sales price not exceeding RMB 6,000.

• Subsidy Rate: 15% of the product's sales price.

• Subsidy Cap: Maximum subsidy of RMB 500 per product.

• Purchase Limit: One subsidized item per product category per consumer.

Based on the above policy, only smartphones priced above RMB 3,333 can receive the maximum subsidy of RMB 500. However, due to the RMB 6,000 price cap, many high-end smartphone models will not be eligible for the subsidy.

Analysis of Subsidy Applicability for Different Smartphone Brands:

1. Apple:

Apple smartphones are known for their high-end positioning, with most models priced above RMB 6,000. Therefore, among the iPhone 16 series, only the 128GB version of the iPhone 16 likely meets the subsidy criteria. It is important to note that this refers to Apple's official retail price. If purchased from third-party platforms, some 256GB iPhone 16 and 128GB iPhone 16 Plus models might qualify due to lower prices, but consumers need to carefully verify the actual selling price.

2. Samsung:

Since the Samsung Galaxy S25 series has not been released, its specific pricing is unknown. However, referring to the pricing of the Galaxy S24 series, it's likely that versions other than the standard model will exceed RMB 6,000 and therefore not qualify for the subsidy.

3. Huawei:

Huawei's foldable phones, such as the Mate X3, X5, X6, and XT, are all priced above RMB 6,000 and are therefore ineligible for the subsidy. In the Huawei Mate 70 series, only the standard version of the Mate 70 (excluding the top 12GB+1TB version) meets the subsidy criteria. The Mate 70 Pro and Mate 70 Pro+ are all priced above RMB 6,000. In the Huawei P70 series, the P70 Pro+ and P70 Ultra are ineligible, while the P70 Pro 256GB version and the standard version (excluding the 1TB version) meet the criteria.

4. Xiaomi:

In the new Xiaomi 15 series, only the 16GB+1TB version of the Xiaomi 15 Pro is priced above RMB 6,000 and does not meet the subsidy criteria. Other versions, including the standard Xiaomi 15 and the Diamond Limited Edition, are below RMB 6,000 and qualify for the subsidy. All versions of the Redmi K80 series are eligible for the subsidy.

5. OPPO/OnePlus:

Among OPPO and OnePlus phones, only the Find X8 Pro 16GB+1TB version is priced above RMB 6,000 and is ineligible for the subsidy; other versions meet the criteria.

6. vivo:

The vivo X200 Pro 16GB+1TB version, the vivo X100 Ultra 512GB/1TB version are priced above RMB 6,000 and are ineligible for the subsidy. The vivo XFold3 foldable phone is also ineligible due to its price exceeding the limit.

7. Honor:

The Honor Magic7 Pro 512GB and above versions, the Honor Magic7 RS, and the Honor Magic V3 foldable phone are priced above RMB 6,000 and are ineligible for the subsidy.

Conclusion:

This national subsidy policy offers consumers a discount opportunity for purchasing new digital products. However, eligibility depends on the brand, model, and actual selling price of the phone. Before purchasing, consumers must carefully check whether the actual selling price of the product meets the subsidy standard and confirm the subsidy process and details with the retailer. Actual selling prices may vary across different e-commerce platforms; consumers should compare prices across various platforms to choose the most cost-effective option. Note that this article only analyzes some mainstream smartphone brands; consumers need to check relevant information themselves for other brands. To avoid information bias, consumers should carefully read the official government policy documents and confirm with the retailer before purchasing to ensure they receive the correct subsidy.