Detailed Explanation of China's New National Mobile Phone Subsidy Policy (January 20th): Recommendations for High-Value-for-Money Models in Four Price Ranges

Detailed Explanation of China's New National Mobile Phone Subsidy Policy (January 20th): Recommendations for High-Value-for-Money Models in Four Price RangesOn January 20th, the much-anticipated national mobile phone subsidy policy was officially launched in China. This policy offers a 15% subsidy for phones priced below 3333, a fixed 500 discount for phones priced between 3333 and 6000, and no subsidy for phones priced above 6000

Detailed Explanation of China's New National Mobile Phone Subsidy Policy (January 20th): Recommendations for High-Value-for-Money Models in Four Price Ranges

On January 20th, the much-anticipated national mobile phone subsidy policy was officially launched in China. This policy offers a 15% subsidy for phones priced below 3333, a fixed 500 discount for phones priced between 3333 and 6000, and no subsidy for phones priced above 6000. It's important to note that eligible phones are primarily sold on official online stores (e-commerce platforms' self-operated stores and brand-operated stores). So, how can you get the best deal on a subsidized phone? This article recommends several high-value-for-money models across different price ranges. All prices listed are based on current prices from official online stores and already include the subsidy.

I. 1500 - 2500 Price Range

In this price range, we prioritize high value for money and a good user experience. The following two phones offer a strong combination of performance and price.

1. iQOO Z9 Turbo Long-Endurance Version

• Pre-subsidy Price: 1899 and up

• Post-subsidy Price: 1614.15

The iQOO Z9 Turbo Long-Endurance Version is a surprising find in the 1500 price range. Its 6500mAh large-capacity battery ensures long battery life at an affordable price. Equipped with a Snapdragon 8s processor, LPDDR5X, and UFS 4.0 flagship-level memory specifications, it guarantees smooth gaming and daily use. The post-subsidy price is around 1600, offering excellent value.

2. Honor GT

• Pre-subsidy Price: 2199 and up

• Post-subsidy Price: 1869.15

The Honor GT is the cheapest Snapdragon 8 processor phone newly released. Compared to its predecessor, the Honor 90 GT, the Honor GT has a direct price reduction of 500. While it removes the gaming chip, other configurations are essentially the same or even improved. Its eye-protection screen features, including motion sickness prevention, AI defocusing eye protection, and 3840Hz high-frequency dimming, are comparable to Honor's high-end models. Furthermore, the Honor GT boasts an attractive design. With a post-subsidy price under 1900, it's a great choice for users seeking value and stylish looks.

II. 2500 - 3500 Price Range

This price range includes both offline brand models and cost-effective flagship models. We recommend the following two phones.

1. OnePlus Ace 5 Pro

• Pre-subsidy Price: 2999 and up

• Post-subsidy Price: 2549.15

The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro features the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, making it one of the cheapest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 phones currently available. With a 400 discount from the official online store and an additional 500 national subsidy, the final price can be as low as 2500. This is very competitive for a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 phone. OnePlus and OPPO are offering significant discounts, worth paying attention to.

2. Redmi K80 Pro

• Pre-subsidy Price: 3699 and up

• Post-subsidy Price: 3199

The Redmi K80 Pro was originally positioned in the high-end market at around 4000. The national subsidy policy directly reduces its price by 500. The Redmi K80 Pro has seen significant improvements across the board, including texture, imaging, a 2K screen, wireless charging, and 5G bands, making a leap from a cost-effective flagship to a high-end cost-effective flagship. Its price of just over 3000 is exceptionally competitive.

III. 3500 - 4500 Price Range

In this price range, you can find flagship-level phones with significant improvements in configuration and experience.

1. OnePlus 11

• Pre-subsidy Price: 4299 and up

• Post-subsidy Price: 3799

The OnePlus 11 boasts a DisplayMate A++ certified screen. In the 3000+ price range, phones with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, Hasselblad imaging system, and a periscope telephoto lens combination are few and far between. Besides excellent hardware, the OnePlus 11 also offers a smooth system experience. ColorOS 13's AI features are powerful, including crowd removal, AI glare reduction, and AI document processing. Game optimization is also excellent, with Genshin Impact running at 120fps + 900p resolution for extended periods at full frame rate. The post-subsidy price of 3799 makes it a very balanced flagship phone.

2. vivo X90

• Pre-subsidy Price: 4099 and up

• Post-subsidy Price: 3599

The vivo X90 benefits from both the national subsidy and an additional official price reduction. The vivo X90 features the Dimensity 9200 processor, which vivo has expertly optimized for a gaming-level performance experience. Additionally, the vivo X90 is equipped with an equal-depth micro-curved screen for excellent feel and a superior imaging system. In short, the vivo X90 is a top performer among standard flagship phones.

IV. 4500 - 6000 Price Range

In this high-end flagship price range, we recommend the following two phones.

1. Xiaomi 13 Pro

• Pre-subsidy Price: 5299 and up

• Post-subsidy Price: 4799

The Xiaomi 13 Pro maintains its original ID design while refining details, featuring narrower four-sided screen bezels and smoother body lines. The ceramic lens decoration also enhances the overall texture. It's equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a Leica imaging system, with a 5x periscope telephoto lens identical to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, and algorithm optimizations for excellent photo quality. A low-power 2K screen and a 6100mAh large battery ensure a good daily usage and battery life experience. The Xiaomi 13 Pro is a very comfortable high-end phone to use.

2. iPhone 16 (256GB)

• Pre-subsidy Price: 5999

• Post-subsidy Price: 5499

While purchasing an iPhone usually doesn't require considering national subsidy policies, if the subsidized price is the same as the price with e-commerce platform's "hundreds of billions of subsidies," then choosing the official national subsidy is more reliable. The pre-subsidy price of the iPhone 16 (256GB) is approximately 5999, while the "hundreds of billions of subsidies" generally offer an additional 500 discount. Some platforms may stack the 500 national subsidy on top of the "hundreds of billions of subsidies." When purchasing, it's recommended to compare prices across multiple platforms.

Other Notes

It's important to note that not all merchants and models are eligible for the national subsidy. Only phones that have been reported by platform merchants or manufacturers are eligible for the subsidy. For phones priced above 6000, manufacturers can also reduce prices first and then apply for the national subsidy, such as the Honor Magic7 Pro 512GB version. It is recommended to compare the official subsidized price and prices from third-party platforms. The national subsidy policy is currently being rolled out gradually, and some provinces may experience delays. Please refer to local policies for details.

In conclusion, the combination of the Spring Festival promotional activities and the national subsidy policy presents an excellent opportunity to buy a new phone. We hope the above information helps you choose the phone that best suits your needs.