When most consumers thought about Double Eleven discounts, they expected token cuts—maybe ¥100, ¥200 tops. That was the norm.
But this time, China Star broke tradition.
The Harmony S series dropped by ¥400 (≈ $55), and the Harmony X series slashed prices by ¥300 (≈ $41). It wasn't subtle—it was a message.
After announcing the discount lineup, China Star's official Weibo dropped another post, this one aimed at existing users:
"Anyone who purchased and activated a device from September 1 to before Double Eleven can claim a gift package with their account. Happy Double Eleven!"
It wasn't just PR fluff.
They knew people who bought the Harmony X2 or S2 in September or October would feel burned. Watching a phone they paid full price for drops by ¥300 or ¥400? No one shrugs that off.
China Star included a compensation package—¥100 phone bill credit, plus ¥200–¥500 in discount vouchers to smooth things over.
Sure, the vouchers were classic sales bait. But when paired with a real credit, they did their job. The goal wasn't generosity—it was brand protection.
Internally, Haifeng made it clear: treat existing Harmony users like VIPs. They'd paid full price. They were early adopters. Don't make them regret it.
Meanwhile, Samsung was trying to claw its way back into the market.
They authorized a last-minute Double Eleven price cut on the China version of the Note 4, dropping it to ¥2600 (≈ $358). That was a ¥1000 markdown in under a month.
It was bold—but also desperate.
The S6 explosion scandal had torched consumer confidence. No clean design or craftsmanship was going to fix that in time.
Now, when buyers looked at the high-end phone shelf, the choice was binary:
Apple 6S or Harmony X2.
Apple was still premium, but expensive, hard to repair, and supply-constrained.
The Harmony X2? Solid specs, domestic brand, and now with serious momentum.
On the mid- to low-end, things were even more competitive.
Huawei Honor had been gaining ground all year. Smart marketing. Great hardware. Massive online growth.
Xiaomi remained dominant, too, especially in terms of volume. Their budget phones were still the kings of Double Eleven.
China Star was the only player that beat both in the market entry. They'd gone online first. And that gave them a head start.
But lead wasn't guaranteed.
Huawei and Xiaomi were closing fast. And in this space, speed and pricing ruled.
That's why the timing of China Star's discount announcement hit like a thunderclap.
Xiaomi and Huawei Honor had revealed their deals weeks earlier.
Xiaomi offered ¥150 off its Note series.
Huawei Honor went with ¥200 off.
China Star?
It undercut them both, across the board.
Their sudden drop wasn't just aggressive. It was borderline hostile.
Zhao Liangyun was the first to react at Huawei HQ.
"Damn it, they're trying to kill us."
Over at Xiaomi, Lei Jun rubbed his temples and let out a bitter laugh.
"They even stabbed their product line just to push volume."
They weren't wrong.
No one at either company had expected China Star to discount flagship phones this heavily.
They thought the S2 and X2 were sacred. Turns out—they weren't.
By 11:59 p.m. on November 10, the entire Chinese internet was holding its breath.
It was almost midnight.
Any other day, people would be asleep.
But on Double Eleven Eve?
Everyone was wide awake, staring at their screens, ready to click.
"Brothers, get ready to rush!"
"I don't know how much stock China Star prepared!"
"This is it—either I grab a Harmony X2 or wait another month."
0:00 a.m., November 11.
Mice clicked. Screens flickered. Payment gateways crashed.
The flood had begun.
Inside China Star HQ, the lights never went off.
This was their first real Double Eleven.
And they were here to prove something.
Clear out inventory. Boost brand dominance. Leave no doubts.
Behind the scenes, the second generation of the Starlight series was already in R&D.
But for now?
They still had over a million units of the first-gen model sitting in the warehouse.
Tonight was about moving them all.