Black Friday is usually a circus. You’ve probably seen the grainy footage of people fighting over doorbuster TVs at 5:00 AM, but when it comes to apple products black friday deals, the vibe is totally different. Apple doesn't really do "cheap." They do "value," and if you aren't careful, you'll end up spending $1,000 to save $50. It’s kind of a psychological trap.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make is going straight to the Apple Store. Don't do that. Apple’s official "Shopping Event" usually just hands out gift cards. A $50 gift card is fine if you were going to buy something else anyway, but it’s not cash in your pocket. If you want actual discounts on an iPad or a MacBook, you have to look at the big-box retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Costco. They are the ones fighting for your business by slashing margins.
The Truth About iPhone Discounts This Year
Everyone wants the new iPhone. Right now, that’s the iPhone 17 series. But here’s the thing: Apple rarely lets retailers discount the newest hardware directly. You won’t find $200 off a base iPhone 17 at Target. Instead, the real apple products black friday deals for iPhones are buried in carrier contracts. AT&T and Verizon will basically give you a phone for "free," but they lock you into a 36-month installment plan. It’s a mortgage for your pocket.
If you’re looking for an unlocked device, look at the previous generation. The iPhone 16 is where the price cuts actually live. Retailers like Walmart often drop the price of the "last year" model by $100 or $150 to clear out inventory. It’s still a powerhouse phone. It has the Action Button and decent cameras. For most people, the jump between the 16 and 17 isn't worth the $200 price delta you'll face on Black Friday.
Why the M3 and M4 MacBook Air are the Real Stars
Laptops are where you see the biggest percentage drops. It’s not uncommon to see a MacBook Air marked down by $200 or even $250.
The 13-inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip has become the "sweet spot" for most students and office workers. Since the M4 models launched recently, retailers are desperate to move M3 stock. I’ve seen prices dip as low as $899 at Best Buy during November. That is an absurd amount of computer for under a grand. The battery life on these things is legendary—you can literally leave your charger at home for a full workday and not break a sweat.
Watch Out for the 8GB RAM Trap
I have to be real with you: stop buying 8GB Macs. Even if the price looks amazing. Apple finally started moving toward 16GB as the baseline for many models, but there are still plenty of 8GB units sitting in warehouses. Apps are getting heavier. Chrome eats RAM for breakfast. If you find a "deal" that seems too good to be true, check the specs. If it’s 8GB of RAM, you’re buying a machine that will feel sluggish in two years. Pay the extra $100 for the 16GB upgrade. Your future self will thank you.
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iPad Deals: Air vs. Pro vs. Mini
The iPad lineup is a mess. It’s confusing. You have the iPad (10th Gen), the iPad Air (M2), the iPad Pro (M4), and the newly refreshed iPad Mini.
On Black Friday, the 10th Gen iPad usually hits its "floor" price. We’ve seen it go as low as $299 or even $279. At that price, it’s the best tablet on the market, period. It’s great for Netflix, drawing with the first-gen Pencil (via that annoying adapter), and basic emails.
But if you want to actually work, keep an eye on the M2 iPad Air. The Air is basically a "Pro Lite." You get the M-series chip, which means it supports Stage Manager for better multitasking. During Black Friday, the 11-inch Air often sees a $50 to $80 discount. It’s not a life-changing amount of money, but it covers the tax and maybe a cheap case.
The iPad Pro Luxury Tax
Don't expect massive savings on the M4 iPad Pro. The OLED screen is stunning, and it’s thinner than a pencil, but Apple knows it’s a luxury item. At most, you might see $100 off the higher-capacity models (512GB and up). If you’re a pro illustrator or video editor, go for it. If you’re just watching YouTube? Save your money and buy the Air.
AirPods and the Race to the Bottom
AirPods are the quintessential Black Friday purchase. They are the "stocking stuffer" of the tech world.
- AirPods Pro (2nd Gen): These are the ones you want. The noise canceling is scary good. On Black Friday, these almost always drop to $189 or $199 from their $249 MSRP. If you see them for $190, buy them. They won't go lower.
- AirPods Max: Honestly? These are getting old. Even with the USB-C refresh, the tech inside hasn't changed much. They often see $100+ discounts, bringing them down to $449. It’s still a lot of money for headphones that don't support true lossless audio over a wire.
- AirPods 4: Since these are newer, the discounts will be slim—maybe $10 or $20 off.
Apple Watch: Series 10 or Ultra 2?
The Apple Watch Series 10 is a big deal because of the thinner design and the faster charging. It’s a refined piece of jewelry at this point. Expect about $50 off across the board at retailers like Amazon.
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The Ultra 2 is a different beast. It’s for the people who go hiking or just want a battery that lasts longer than a day. It usually hovers around $799, but Black Friday can push it down to $699. If you see an Ultra 2 for $699, that is a definitive "buy" signal.
How to Win at Apple Products Black Friday Deals
You need a strategy. You can't just wing it on Friday morning.
First, use price trackers. Sites like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) or Honey show you the price history. Retailers love to jack up prices in October just so they can "discount" them back to normal in November. Don't fall for the fake red text.
Second, check the Apple Refurbished Store. This is the secret weapon. Apple’s refurbished products are basically new. They come with a new outer shell, a new battery, and the same one-year warranty as a retail product. Sometimes, an Apple Refurbished price is actually lower than a Black Friday "new" price at a big retailer.
Third, consider the "Trade-In" value. If you have an iPhone 13 or 14 sitting in a drawer, Apple will give you credit for it. Sometimes, combining a trade-in with a modest Black Friday discount at a place like Best Buy results in the lowest total out-of-pocket cost.
The Accessories Trap
This is where they get you. You buy a MacBook for $200 off, and then you spend $100 on an Apple-branded dongle and a $60 plastic case.
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Apple’s official accessories rarely go on sale. If you want a Magic Keyboard for your iPad, you’re probably paying full price. This is where you should look at third-party brands like Logitech or Anker. They make stuff that is 90% as good for 50% of the price. Don't let the "deal" on the main device get wiped out by overpriced add-ons.
What to Avoid This Year
There are a few things that look like apple products black friday deals but are actually just clearing out junk.
- Apple Watch Series 9: Unless it’s under $250, just get the Series 10. The screen on the 10 is so much better it’s worth the extra bit of cash.
- Intel-based MacBooks: If you find a "deal" on an old Intel MacBook Pro at a random liquidator, run away. Those chips are hot, loud, and Apple is slowly cutting off software support for them. M-series silicon is the only way to go.
- The Apple Pencil (1st Gen): It uses a Lightning connector. It’s a pain to charge. Unless you have an old iPad that requires it, ignore it.
Your Black Friday Action Plan
Start by auditing your current tech. Do you actually need a new iPad, or do you just need a new battery? Apple will replace an iPad battery for a fee that’s much lower than buying a new device.
If you definitely need to upgrade, set up alerts now. Use the "Watch" feature on retailer apps. Most "Black Friday" deals actually start the Monday before Thanksgiving. By the time Friday actually rolls around, the best stock—like the base model MacBook Airs—is often gone.
Check the return policies. Most retailers extend their return windows during the holidays, meaning you can buy something in November and return it in January. This is great if you find a better price later in the month. Just keep the box in good shape.
Focus on the "Big Three": Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. They have the volume to take the hit on Apple margins. Avoid the smaller "authorized resellers" unless they have a specific bundle you need. Most of the time, they can't compete on the raw price of the hardware.
If you're hunting for a specific model, like the Mac Studio or a high-spec MacBook Pro, your best bet is B&H Photo. They tend to stock the "weird" configurations that Amazon doesn't carry, and their holiday discounts on high-end creative gear are often the best in the industry. They also have a tax-match program in certain states that can save you an extra 7-10% depending on where you live.
Final piece of advice: don't get caught up in the FOMO. There will be another sale for Cyber Monday, and usually another one in mid-December. The prices rarely fluctuate more than $10 or $20 between these events. If you miss the "perfect" window, don't sweat it. You're still getting a great piece of tech.