As the clock struck midnight, the gates to the highly anticipated 2025 National Subsidy Program officially swung open. Amidst the various subsidy options available, digital products, particularly mobile phones, have emerged as the primary focus. While the subsidy amounts may not be substantial, their broad reach and straightforward application process have garnered significant interest from consumers. Despite the inherent restrictions, a bit of rule-reading reveals that discounts can be stacked even for products covered by the national subsidy.

Some might argue that participating in the national subsidy is straightforward enough, and delving deeper into the rules is unnecessary. However, the truth is, if there's an opportunity to save even more, why not seize it? Several mainstream platforms now feature dedicated mobile phone sections within their national subsidy categories. Regarding PDD's substantial 10 billion subsidy, the prices are already competitive, making the additional national subsidy somewhat redundant. Nevertheless, despite identical subsidy amounts, the final outcomes may vary slightly across platforms.

I've emphasized multiple times recently that the national subsidy can be combined with existing price reductions. iPhones, in particular, have seen significant drops, with several models now priced below 6,000 yuan, a reduction of thousands of yuan. Adding an extra 500 yuan from the national subsidy and, if you're a platform member, further discounts are available. For instance, JD's self-operated store offers PLUS members additional savings of tens of yuan. Whether these savings justify a membership depends on your shopping habits and frequency. Frequent buyers will find stacking memberships particularly cost-effective.

Given that top-tier flagship models can actively drop below 6,000 yuan to participate, it stands to reason that mid-range, cost-effective models can follow suit. As consumers, we needn't concern ourselves with manufacturers' or platforms' profit margins. Our primary goal is to secure the desired products at the lowest possible price. Thus, when considering national subsidy models, don't rush into a purchase. First, compare prices outside the subsidy program, across various platforms.

For example, some models may have already been discounted before the subsidy begins but subtly increase their prices during the pre-promotion period, aiming to maximize profits post-subsidy. To uncover such tactics, search online for historical prices or check non-subsidy sections on various platforms for price reductions. Ensure these align with the pre-subsidy prices displayed in the national subsidy section (phones in this section usually show pre- and post-subsidy prices for comparison).

If discrepancies are found, as consumers, avoid contributing to such practices. Choose companies that demonstrate genuine pricing integrity. Today's smartphones offer similar features and configurations, making brand switching seamless. For mid-to-high-end phones, aim for a pre-subsidy price range of 3,333 to 3,500 yuan to maximize subsidy benefits.

In essence, the perceived hassle stems from a lack of interest in purchasing related products. When genuinely interested, one naturally seeks out every possible discount. What do you think, readers?