electronics

The Best Apple Sales to Shop Right Now

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

Apple rarely discounts its own products, but third-party retailers occasionally offer deals on the company’s flagship products, like AirPods and iPads, and you’ll typically find the best discounts on older models once a new one comes out. Still, Apple products have solid longevity, and the savings are often worth the trade in features. For instance, Apple recently updated the AirPods Max with a USB-C port (replacing the Lightning port), but the older model is $100 cheaper and switching cables is only a minor inconvenience.

I’ve combed through all the listings for Apple’s products at major retailers to find the best deals, omitting anything that’s getting too old or isn’t discounted enough (this varies depending on the product category). The company just announced the iPhone 16, the Apple Watch Series 10, and new AirPods, so, unsurprisingly, we’re seeing good deals right now on the AirPods Pro and Apple Watch SE, but I also found a great discount on the MacBook Air.

iPad deals

This is the only iPad with Apple’s old A-series chip that I’d recommend getting at this point — and only because it’s the best small tablet you can get and Apple hasn’t updated it in years. I like it for reading news articles, and its travel-friendly size makes it a great reader for weekend getaways. It also supports Apple’s Pencil, so you can doodle and take notes on it.

AirPods and Beats Studio deals

Apple AirPods Pro 2
$154
$154

These didn’t receive a refresh this year, but that’s fine because the AirPods Pro are still great. Their “Transparency” mode, which lets external sounds through while you’re listening to music or podcasts, makes them some of my favorite wireless earbuds.

Apple AirPods Max
$399
$399

Apple just announced a new version of these headphones that swap the Lightning port for a USB-C port to match all of Apple’s other modern devices, but that’s the only difference. The Lightning versions still sound and look great, and the convenience of pairing them with all your Apple gear can’t be beat. If you’re willing to swap your cables to charge these every couple days, it’s worth saving the $100.

$179

Apple’s Beats Studio Pro headphones, which feature noise cancellation and an eye-catching design that comes in eight colors, pair as easily with Apple devices as AirPods do (they work great with Android devices as well). This bundle includes two years of AppleCare+, which should save you from a costly replacement should you damage your headphones down the road.

Apple Watch deals

$149

Apple’s budget watch is a great option for those who just want something to track basic fitness metrics like steps and heart rate or to manage notifications without having to pull their phone out. At under $200, you won’t find a better smartwatch to pair with your iPhone.

MacBook deals

If you want a lightweight computer that can still do everything from note-taking to photo-editing, Apple’s M3 MacBook Air has plenty of power, and it’s light enough to barely notice when it’s in your bag. At under $1,000, it’s tough to beat.

Apple 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop
$1,044
$1,044

You can also get a larger version of the same computer if you need more screen space to get your work done.

Apple accessory deals

Apple AirTag 4-Pack
$73

This four-pack of Apple’s tracker is cheaper than buying a lost suitcase and replacing all its items. And everyone can stuff one in their bag before the next family trip.

The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

The Best Apple Sales to Shop Right Now