Apple fans in China were thrown a curveball Wednesday as the company implemented some of the cheapest rates in the world on apps in China's iOS App Store. But the drop in prices could have something to do with UnionPay, according to ChinaDaily.

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Apps in the China App Store can now be purchased for just 3 yuan ($0.48), and some apps can be found for as low as a mere 1 yuan ($0.16). Among the 1 yuan price-range, consumers can purchase apps such as GoodReader, Plague Inc, Doodle Jump and Limbo.

Usually Apple sells their apps around the globe to the equivalent of the U.S. app store prices of $0.99. Typically about 6 yuan ($0.98) was the lowest-priced apps China has seen before today. The drastic decreases in rates are not only the cheapest in China, but are also now the lowest-priced apps across the globe.

Multiple Chinese media outlets are speculating that the price drop likely has something to do with the new link between UnionPay and App Stores that was announced Monday.

The link would now allow Chinese consumers to be able to use UnionPay cards when purchasing items in the App Store, rather than setting up prepaid accounts and having to send money from a bank account.

Apple mentioned that a total of more than 4.5 billion UnionPay cards have been issued, so the sudden price drop on apps in China's App Store could be an effort to capitalize on bringing in new consumers and generating more sales. 

The sudden change in prices attracted many fans to comment in awe and humor in the China App Store, ChinaDaily reports.

"The price drop on the App store has so many apps for 1 yuan, can you resist" one Shanghai based netizen said. "But seeing all those 45 yuan apps I purchased depreciate in value so fast makes my heart break."

TagsApple Inc., China iOS App Store, China apps stores, UnionPay cards, app discounts