DeepSeek Makes 75% V4-Pro Discount Permanent

DeepSeek announced that it will maintain a 75-percent discount on its flagship V4-Pro model on a permanent basis. Originally, the promotional offer was supposed to end at the end of May, but the Chinese startup changed its mind.

History of the Discount

DeepSeek launched a special offer on V4-Pro, reducing the price by 75% from the standard tariff. It was a temporary marketing measure, scheduled to end by the end of May of this year — a way to quickly grow the user base and secure a position in the market. But just before the deadline expired, the company unexpectedly announced that it would maintain such pricing on a permanent basis.

For developers and companies, this means that one of the most powerful AI models available on the market remains affordable to use long-term. Against the backdrop of rising prices from Western competitors, such a move looks like a serious strategic decision. OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google regularly raise the cost of API requests.

DeepSeek is taking the opposite path — not only does it not increase prices, but it also locks in the discount in contractual terms. This could significantly shift the balance in the AI services market in favor of the Chinese startup.

Huawei and Sovereign Chips

Experts believe that DeepSeek's decision is connected to expanded access to Huawei processors. Thanks to domestic chips, the Chinese startup gains the ability to use its own computing power instead of constant dependence on foreign semiconductors. This significantly reduces operational costs for maintaining infrastructure and gives the company greater strategic autonomy in the face of Western sanctions.

The US continually tightens export controls on cutting-edge microchips. NVIDIA A100 and H100 have long been banned or severely restricted for Chinese companies. Using Huawei allows DeepSeek not only to survive under sanctions, but to actively grow independently of Western technological restrictions.

Probably, this breakthrough in access to its own high-performance chips gave the company's leadership the confidence to maintain the 75% discount on a long-term basis.

Consequences on the Market

The permanent discount will hit competitors and open new opportunities for the entire AI services ecosystem:

• Cheaper API for developers — thousands of startups will gain access to a powerful model at a record-low price
• Expansion of the user base — DeepSeek will attract more people and companies that will integrate the model into their solutions
• Pressure on competitors — OpenAI and Anthropic will face more aggressive price competition and must reconsider their strategy
• Strengthening of sovereignty — the use of Huawei will allow DeepSeek to develop independently of Western sanctions and export restrictions

What This Means

The permanent discount on V4-Pro is not just a market move, it is a strategic signal. DeepSeek demonstrates that it can compete with Western leaders not only through breakthrough research every quarter, but also through accessibility, aggressive pricing, and economic independence from the sanctions regime. With support from Huawei chips, the company has a maneuver that simply does not exist for OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google.