Best Apple Deals: Save on MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch & more

Apple deals are generally best during major retail events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, or specifically for students during Apple’s annual “Back to School” promotion . While Apple itself rarely offers direct price cuts on new hardware, third-party resellers frequently discount products throughout the year.

The optimal time to buy depends heavily on the product’s release cycle and the specific retailer, though:

iPhones: The best time to buy is often in the spring or summer, several months after the September launch, when third-party resellers begin offering deeper discounts . Conversely, the worst time is August, just before new models arrive and trigger price drops on older generations.

Macs and iPads: These see significant discounts during Black Friday (late November) and Amazon Prime Day (typically July and October). For students, the Back to School event (running June–September in the U.S. and July–October in the U.K.) is ideal, as Apple often bundles free accessories like AirPods or Apple Pencils with purchases.

Apple Watch: Major savings are typically found during Black Friday and Prime Day events.

Apple refurbished deals are widely considered worth it, particularly when purchasing directly from the official Apple Refurbished Store, where products are restored to a “like-new” condition. While third-party resellers often provide steeper discounts, Apple’s own process is uniquely rigorous, offering a balance of significant savings and the same protections as a brand-new purchase.

Buying directly from Apple is often described as “almost indistinguishable” from buying new. According to our guide How much can you save at Apple’s Refurbished Store?, the company puts every device through a “stringent refurbishment process” that includes full functional testing, thorough cleaning, and inspection.

Key benefits of the official Apple Refurbished Store include:

Hardware Replacements: Refurbished iPads and iPhones receive a brand-new battery and outer shell .

Warranty and Support: All products come with a standard one-year limited warranty, 90 days of technical support, and are eligible for AppleCare .

Full Accessories: Devices are repackaged in a plain white box with all original manuals and cables .

Savings: You can typically save around 15% off the retail price for recent models, with much higher discounts on older generations.

Avoid the Apple price hikes: Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store sells products at the old, pre-hike prices – meaning you can effectively sidestep the recent price increases entirely.

Deciding whether to buy Apple products from Amazon or directly from Apple depends on whether you prioritize immediate cost savings or the specific perks and guarantees offered by the manufacturer. While Amazon often provides deeper discounts, Apple offers unique benefits like trade-in credits, education pricing, and the assurance of receiving the latest models.

Apple rarely provides direct price reductions on its new products, preferring to maintain steady Old MSRP pricing throughout a product’s lifecycle. Instead of traditional discounts, the company typically utilizes alternative methods to provide value directly to consumers, such as gift card incentives during major shopping events, education pricing, and a dedicated refurbished store.

While you will not often see a lower price tag on a new iPhone or Mac at the Apple Store, the company does offer several ways to save:

Apple Shopping Events: During events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Apple typically offers gift cards rather than price cuts. For example, in the 2025 holiday season, Apple provided gift cards ranging from $25 to $250 for eligible purchases.

Education Store: Students, teachers, and higher education staff can access year-round discounts on Macs and iPads . During the annual “Back to School” event, Apple often includes a “freebie” like AirPods or an Apple Pencil with qualifying purchases.

Apple Refurbished Store: This is the primary way to get a direct price reduction from Apple. Products are fully reconditioned, come with a one-year warranty, and can be discounted by hundreds of dollars or pounds.

Trade-In Program: Apple allows customers to trade in old devices to receive credit toward a new purchase, effectively lowering the out-of-pocket cost.