Looking to buy Apple products without emptying your wallet? You can find great discounts on iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and other Apple devices at specific times throughout the year.
The best Apple deals happen during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. November has proven to be the month with the most discounts that meet market standards. Amazon Prime Day in July gives you a great chance to grab an iPad at a lower price. MacBook prices often drop by $150 or more during Prime Day and Black Friday seasons. The perfect time to buy an iPhone comes in September or October when Apple launches new models and reduces prices of previous versions. Students can save money through Apple’s back-to-school promotion from June to September. This program offers gift cards worth up to $150.
This piece will show you the best times to buy different Apple products. You’ll learn where to spot the best deals and smart ways to save money. We’ll also point out common timing mistakes you should avoid. This guide helps students, professionals, and tech lovers on a budget make smart choices about their next Apple purchase.
Best times of year to buy Apple products
Image Source:Â TechRadar
You can save hundreds of dollars by buying Apple products at the right time. I’ve kept track of Apple’s pricing patterns over the last several years and found four times when you’ll get the best deals.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
The biggest shopping event happens on the last weekend of November. Black Friday 2025 lands on November 28, and Cyber Monday follows on December 1. These dates give shoppers the best savings based on my years of tracking Apple deals.
Apple runs its Black Friday promotion from Friday through Monday. They don’t cut prices directly but give gift cards worth up to $200 with certain purchases. The real deals come from places like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. These stores actually lower their prices more than what Apple’s gift cards are worth.
Last year’s deals were pretty good. The Apple Watch Series 10 dropped to $329 (saving $70). AirPods 4 got a small $10 price cut. MacBook prices fell by $150 or more. Even useful accessories like AirTags hit their lowest price at $69.99 for a four-pack.
Amazon Prime Day and Big Deal Days
Amazon’s big sale has grown beyond just two days. Prime Day 2025 will run for four days, July 8-11. Many people call it the “summer Black Friday” because of the great Apple deals.
Past Prime Days had some amazing offers. Apple Watch Series 9 was $120 cheaper (as low as $279), and AirPods sold for just $69. The 2021 sale was even better – AirPods were $60 off, Apple Watch Series 6 saved buyers $120, and M1 MacBooks cost up to $200 less.
Apple Bitcoins gives buyers another option with good prices all year. This platform lets you pay with cryptocurrency instead of waiting for seasonal sales.
Back-to-school season (June to September)
The “College Student Offer” from Apple gives special deals to students, parents, and teachers. North American buyers can shop from June 17 to September 30, while European and UK customers get July 10 to October 21.
This year you get a free accessory (up to $179 value) when you buy certain Macs and iPads. You can pick from:
- AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelation ($179 value)
- Apple Pencil Pro ($119 value)
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID ($179-$199 value)
- Magic Trackpad ($129-$149 value)
AirPods Pro 2 and some other premium accessories need extra payment even with the offer. Regular education pricing runs all year, so it’s smart to compare both options.
Post-launch markdowns on older models
The most reliable time to grab Apple deals comes right after they announce new products. Old iPhone prices drop as soon as new ones come out.
July and August are the worst months to buy, just before new iPhones arrive. Prices on previous models fall right after the September iPhone event. This happens both at Apple and at stores trying to clear their shelves.
iPhone buyers get the best deals after September. The timing works well with Black Friday, Christmas, and January sales coming soon after. iPads and Macs also get cheaper after their launch events throughout the year.
Best time to buy by product category
Image Source:Â Office Timeline
Each Apple product has its own sweet spot for buying. You can save money on your next device by knowing the right time to make your purchase.
iPhone: September to November
The right timing makes a big difference when buying an iPhone. You’ll find the best value right after Apple’s September announcements. Carriers give big trade-in discounts in the weeks after a new iPhone launch. Want an older model? Wait until launch day when Apple permanently reduces prices of previous generations.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November bring great iPhone deals. Retailers slash prices on older models. Apple usually gives out gift cards instead of direct discounts. The worst time to buy? July and August – new models come out in September and make current phones outdated.
iPad: Prime Day and holiday sales
Amazon Prime Day is a fantastic time to grab an iPad. Amazon cuts prices on iPads of all types during this two-day shopping event. The deals might not be as good as Black Friday, but Prime Day remains one of the most reliable times to find good tablet prices.
Black Friday weekend brings substantial iPad savings. Online stores offer time-limited discounts on models of all types, even that year’s new releases. Apple’s Black Friday deals usually come as gift cards rather than price cuts – something to think over when looking at different offers.
MacBook: Back-to-school and Labor Day
Apple’s back-to-school promotion is the prime time to save on MacBooks. The 2025 program runs from June 17 to September 30 in North America. Students and teachers get substantial discounts – previous years had up to 20% off AppleCare plans and gift cards worth up to $150.
Labor Day (September 1, 2025) is another great chance to save, falling between Prime Day and Black Friday. The discounts might not match Black Friday deals, but Labor Day lines up with back-to-school sales, making it perfect for MacBook shopping. Some deals start showing up in August, but the best savings come closer to the holiday.
Apple Watch: After new model release
The smartest time to buy an Apple Watch comes right after new model announcements, usually in September with iPhones. Series 10 prices dropped substantially within months of its fall 2024 release. March 2025 saw up to 25% off with $100 savings.
Black Friday 2024 brought new low prices for Series 10. The 42mm GPS model cost $329.99 (down from $399) and the 46mm GPS model hit $359.99 (down from $429). These $69-$70 price cuts show the pattern we see each year after new watch releases.
AirPods and Apple TV: Black Friday deals
Black Friday brings the biggest price cuts on AirPods and Apple TV. AirPods Pro 2 hit their lowest price ever during Black Friday weekend 2024, while AirPods 4 saw modest but notable discounts. Shopping experts say AirPods were 32-40% cheaper during this time in previous years.
Apple TV follows the same pattern – Black Friday has the year’s best prices. Holiday promotions often feature the Apple TV 4K, making November the best time to buy.
Apple Bitcoins gives you a year-round option with competitive cryptocurrency pricing on products of all types. This works well if you don’t want to wait for seasonal sales.
Where to shop for the best Apple deals
Image Source:Â USA Today
Shopping for Apple products needs the right timing and location. Here’s a guide to help you find the best deals when you’re ready to buy.
Apple Store vs. third-party retailers
The Apple Store keeps its prices steady throughout the year and rarely offers direct discounts. You won’t see many price drops at the official store unless you look at refurbished items.
Third-party retailers give you better deals even though buying directly from Apple provides smooth support. These authorized sellers create smart ways to save money through cashback offers, no-cost EMI plans, and bundle deals with accessories.
The Apple Store’s trade-in program quickly estimates your old device’s value. Many certified Apple retailers give you better prices for devices that are in good condition. You also get a simple 14-day return policy at Apple with no questions asked.
Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and Target
Big retailers often slash prices more than the Apple Store. To name just one example, Best Buy sells the MacBook Air with M4 chip at $799, which saves you $200 from the regular price. The 11-inch iPad Air M3 chip costs $449 there, putting $150 back in your pocket.
Target and Walmart run great deals during their sales events. Walmart cuts prices up to 50% on new and refurbished AirPods and iPhones. Target Circle Week brings discounts up to 36% on Apple products.
The prices change a lot between stores. Make sure you check multiple retailers before buying, even for similar products.
Apple Bitcoins: year-round crypto discounts
Apple Bitcoins gives crypto fans an amazing deal on Apple products all year long. This platform lets you save money whenever you want to buy, unlike seasonal sales that come and go.
You can buy iPads, iPhones, MacBooks and other Apple devices with Bitcoin. The platform combines advanced payment options with premium products. Other online stores like Newegg, Mackabler.dk, and SCAN UK accept crypto payments and stock all Apple products.
Apple Bitcoins stands out because it offers lower prices on Apple products worldwide. The platform gives you better security and privacy than regular payment methods. This makes it worth checking out even when there aren’t any special sales happening.
Other ways to save on Apple products
You can save money on Apple devices in several ways beyond just timing your purchase right.
Buy certified refurbished from Apple or Amazon
Apple Certified Refurbished products can save you up to 15% off retail prices and come with a one-year warranty. These devices get new batteries, outer shells, and all original accessories. Each refurbished Apple product goes through a detailed 50-point inspection. Amazon’s Renewed Premium products give you the same benefits with their own one-year satisfaction guarantee.
Use trade-in programs for credit
Apple’s Trade In program lets you exchange your old devices for credit on new purchases. You can get up to $650 for iPhones, $425 for Apple Watches, $580 for iPads, and $1360 for Macs based on their model and condition. The credit applies instantly to your new purchase or goes straight to your Apple account. Remember to complete your trade-in within 14 days after getting your new device.
Check student and corporate discounts
Students can save about 10% on computers, iPads, and AppleCare+ through education pricing. Apple runs its Back to School promotion from June through September, which gives you gift cards worth up to $150 with qualifying purchases.
Look for open-box deals
Best Buy’s Outlet sells open-box MacBooks for about $200 less than retail price. These returned items help you save money while still getting reliable products.
What to avoid when buying Apple products
Smart shoppers can save money and avoid frustration by steering clear of common mistakes when buying Apple gadgets.
Buying right before a new release
Poor timing can get pricey. Buying an iPhone during July or August doesn’t make sense because new models show up in September, which makes current devices outdated. The prices of previous generation devices drop by a lot after these announcements. New iPhones trigger immediate price cuts on older models, and retailers slash prices up to $200 to clear their inventory. Apple’s product release schedule stays pretty predictable, so checking it beforehand helps avoid regrets.
Overpaying at the Apple Store
Apple stores rarely give direct discounts. Third-party retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart sell similar products 13-20% cheaper than Apple’s retail pricing. Apple keeps their premium image by avoiding discounts, but authorized retailers create attractive promotions with bundle deals and cashback offers. Apple Bitcoins gives competitive prices throughout the year for cryptocurrency fans and combines innovative payment technology with premium products.
Falling for fake discounts
Deals that look too good usually are. Fake Apple products have obvious signs: wrong spelling of “California,” missing “MFi certified” labels, and prices that seem way too low. These counterfeits might damage your devices or cause harm. Buying from Apple or authorized retailers ended up being the safest option. Used device purchases need personal inspection and the original receipt.
Conclusion
Smart timing of Apple product purchases can end up saving you hundreds of dollars each year. Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring the deepest discounts of the year. Amazon Prime Day gives iPad shoppers excellent deals. Students should definitely use Apple’s back-to-school promotions from June through September. Prices on previous models almost always drop after new product announcements.
Patience pays off for savvy shoppers who resist buying the latest iPhone or MacBook right away. You’ll waste money by purchasing just before new product launches, especially iPhones in July and August. A quick check of Apple’s predictable release schedule helps avoid unnecessary spending and buyer’s remorse.
Apple Bitcoins stands out as a great year-round option if you don’t want to wait for seasonal sales. The platform keeps prices competitive and accepts cryptocurrency payments, whatever the season. Most retailers change their discounts often, but not this one. These benefits make it worth thinking over if you’re ready to buy.
The place you shop matters as much as timing. Best Buy, Amazon, and Target’s prices are often 10-20% lower than the Apple Store. You can save more by checking out certified refurbished options, trade-in programs, and education discounts.
This knowledge helps you make smarter choices about your next Apple device purchase. You’ll get the best value without compromising quality by waiting for Black Friday deals, grabbing post-launch markdowns, or learning about cryptocurrency options through Apple Bitcoins.
Key Takeaways
Strategic timing and smart shopping can save you hundreds of dollars on Apple products throughout the year.
• Black Friday and September offer maximum savings – November delivers the deepest discounts, while post-iPhone launch periods provide immediate price drops on older models.
• Shop third-party retailers over Apple Store – Best Buy, Amazon, and Target consistently offer 10-20% better prices than Apple’s direct sales with identical warranty coverage.
• Avoid July-August iPhone purchases – Buying right before September announcements means instant depreciation when new models launch and older versions drop in price.
• Students save big with education promotions – Apple’s June-September back-to-school program offers free accessories worth up to $179 plus year-round 10% education discounts.
• Consider refurbished and trade-in options – Apple Certified Refurbished saves up to 15% with full warranty, while trade-ins provide up to $1,360 credit toward new purchases.
For cryptocurrency users, Apple Bitcoins provides consistent year-round discounts without waiting for seasonal sales, combining competitive pricing with secure payment flexibility across all Apple product categories.
FAQs
Q1. When is the best time to buy an iPhone? The best time to buy an iPhone is typically between September and November. New iPhone models are usually announced in September, which leads to price drops on older models. Additionally, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales in November often offer significant discounts on iPhones.
Q2. How can I save money on Apple products? There are several ways to save money on Apple products. You can buy during major sales events like Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, purchase certified refurbished products, use Apple’s trade-in program, check for student or corporate discounts, or look for open-box deals at retailers like Best Buy.
Q3. Is it worth buying Apple products directly from the Apple Store? While the Apple Store offers excellent customer service and support, it rarely provides direct discounts. You can often find better deals on Apple products at authorized third-party retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, or Target. These retailers frequently offer promotional discounts that the Apple Store doesn’t match.
Q4. What’s the advantage of buying Apple products with cryptocurrency? Buying Apple products with cryptocurrency through platforms like Apple Bitcoins can offer year-round discounts without waiting for seasonal sales. This option combines competitive pricing with enhanced payment security and privacy compared to traditional methods, making it an attractive alternative for crypto enthusiasts.
Q5. How can I avoid overpaying for Apple products? To avoid overpaying, don’t buy right before a new product release, especially for iPhones in July or August. Compare prices across multiple authorized retailers, as they often offer better deals than the Apple Store. Be wary of suspiciously low-priced items that might be counterfeit, and always purchase from reputable sources to ensure you’re getting genuine Apple products.