Monday, November 15, 2021

The best early Black Friday deals on Apple products

UPDATE: Nov. 15, 2021, 5 p.m. ET This post has been updated with the latest Apple savings, including new Mac Mini and MacBook deals.

  • BEST IPHONE DEAL: iPhone 12 Mini (64GB) at AT&T, a great iPhone pick that requires no trade-in for some stellar savings — $314.99 $629.99 (save $314.99)


Apple is not famous for its sales — at least not through its own website and stores. Even with the fanfare of Black Friday, you probably won't get the same major price cuts you’d expect from other brands.

So what does this mean for the person on the hunt for a new iPad or MacBook? Are you destined to pay full price forever? Dear reader, absolutely not. Apple deals are out there across the internet year-round, but especially once we enter Black Friday season.

Though you likely need no reminder, we continue to live in unprecedented times, meaning Black Friday arrived earlier than ever this year, which means competition is higher than ever for scoring savings on hot Apple items. In addition to this being a prime opportunity to knock some early shopping out of the way, supply chain shortages are definitely going to be a thing this holiday season, so early shopping on popular items (like that MacBook you've been eying) is the best way to make sure there is a gift to give come December.

So whether you’ve got your eye on the iPhone 13 or are hoping these new releases mean discounted older models, we’ll keep updating you on all the best Black Friday Apple finds from Amazon to Walmart to Best Buy and wherever else is offering savings worth hearing about.

Black Friday deals on iPhones

blue iphone 12 mini
Credit: Apple
Our pick: iPhone 12 Mini (64GB) at AT&T
$314.99 at AT&T (save $314.99)

Why we like it

  • A14 Bionic chip

  • 5G connectivity

  • Super Retina OLED display

Click here to read Mashable's official review of the iPhone 12 Mini.

No trade-ins means you're scoring decent savings, even if you don't have a phone from the last couple of years to hand over. With this no-trade in deal from AT&T, you can still shave off half the price of the iPhone 12 mini — a phone that's easy to hold, packs plenty of power with an A14 Bionic chip, and has a pretty nice camera to boot.

More iPhone deals

Black Friday deals on AirPods

silver AirPods max
Credit: Apple
Our pick: AirPods Max
$479 at Amazon (save $70)

Why we like it

  • Active noise cancellation and spatial audio

  • Available in different colors

  • Good battery life

Check out the official Mashable review of the AirPods Max.

If you'd like to indulge in some more wonderful sounds, these headphones, though a bit bulky, boast an impressive audio quality and active noise cancellation. While they might not be the best over-the-ear headphones out there by far, at this price point, they could very well please Apple devotees.

More deals on AirPods:

Black Friday deals on Apple Watch

apple watch series 6 gold and pink
Credit: Apple

Why we like it

  • SPO2 sensor

  • Good battery life

  • Always-on display

Check out the official Mashable review of the Apple Watch Series 6.

Apple has officially stopped selling the Series 6 on their website, but as this deal shows, that doesn't mean they're impossible to find. Now that the Series 7 is out in the world, you can grab this "outdated" smartwatch for a nice $50 discount, whether you opt for the 40mm or 44mm screen. You'll enjoy the same fitness features of the new Apple Watch, like an SPO2 sensor, ECG sensor, heart rate monitoring, all on an always-on display. Plus, the battery life isn't half bad.

More Apple Watch deals

Black Friday deals on iPad

2020 space gray ipad pro
Credit: Apple
Our pick: 2020 11" iPad Pro (WiFi, 256GB)
$749.99 at Best Buy (save $150)

Why we like it

  • Decent amount of storage

  • Impressive battery life

  • Liquid Retina display

Check out Mashable's official review of the 2020 iPad Pro.

For an iPad with a bit more power without a huge price tag, this 2020 Pro has got you covered. Its A12Z Bionic chipset can get fuel more creative tasks like picture editing, while its long battery life will keep you from reaching from your charger too often. Factor that in with 256GB and a price that sits under $800, and this might just be the laptop-replacing tablet you've been looking for.

More iPad deals

Black Friday deals on Mac

2020 mac mini
Credit: Apple
Our pick: 2020 Mac Mini (M1, 512GB)
$749.99 at Amazon (save $149.01)

Why we like it

  • M1 chip

  • Compact design

  • Doesn't get hot

Check out Mashable's official review of the Mac Mini.

This mini-computer is a decent way to enter the M1 Mac ecosystem without breaking $1,000, and this deal only makes that more true. With 8GB of RAM and a decent amount of internal storage, the Mac Mini is great as a multi-use computer, whether it's just for you or the entire family.

More Mac deals

Black Friday deals on Apple accessories

ivory powerbeats pro
Credit: Beats by Dr. Dre

Why we like it

  • Snug fit with ear hook design

  • Impressive sound quality

  • Nine hours of listening time from one charge

Check out Mashable's official review of the Powerbeats Pro Totally Wireless Earphones.

It's entirely possible that AirPods aren't really your jam. Usually, the Powerbeats Pro are a much pricier alternative, but thanks to this deal, this point made by our reviewer rings even truer: "Beats' Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds are terrific if AirPods don't cut it for you." If you're looking for a pair of earbuds that'll stay in place, provide terrific sound, and last a nice long time before you need a recharge, you're definitely going to want to take a closer look at the Powerbeats Pro.

More deals on Apple accessories:

Refurbished Apple product deals

2016 macbook pro
Credit: Apple

Why we like it

  • Nice wide 15" screen

  • 16GB RAM

  • Powered by Intel sixth-gen quad-core Core i7 processor

The latest 2021 MacBook Pros are powerful machines, but they're also very expensive machines. If you're looking to save some cash but still want enough speed and support to edit video or play games, this refurbished 2016 MacBook Pro could be the one for you. The processing power combined with the 15-inch screen will especially come in clutch for more creative tasks — and you don't need to spend anywhere near $2,400 (which happens to be the price this laptop originally went for).

More refurbished Apple product deals:

iPhone

Apple Watch

iPad

Mac

AirPods

How to score the best Black Friday Apple deals:

First and foremost, you should keep an eye on this list. Self-promo aside, we'll be making sure it stays updated with all the best deals. If you are interested in doing some deal hunting of your own, we do have a few tips to share.

As we mentioned earlier, Apple is notoriously stingy when it comes to offering sales. Usually, their Black Friday offering is a gift card. That means checking their website daily probably will not be the most fruitful course of action. Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy are much more likely to offer discounts on your favorite products.

Next, it will be helpful to have some idea of what products you're interested in buying. A glance at this very post can show you that the Apple catalog is vast and ever-expanding. Within the past two months alone we've gotten a slew of new releases, and then there's still all your old favorites. Apple deals also have a tendency to fluctuate, so trying to keep a close eye on all their selections can get overwhelming quick (besides, that's what you have us for — no need to put yourself through that). What's more, Apple is — as you may know — a popular brand, meaning you only have so long to hop on good sales.

So our advice? Decide what you're really interested in. Want a new iPad but don't need the latest and greatest? You can definitely find older generations on sale. Maybe you're even cool with going refurbished, which is good for your wallet and the planet. Having a clear sense of what you're looking for can help you make sure you don't miss any deals.

What Apple sales should be expected this year?

We're not anticipating any drastic departures from the kinds of deals offered in years past, so you probably won't be able to grab one of the new iPads or MacBooks for half off. Unlike years past, some of the newest Apple releases are also going to be especially tricky to find, on sale or otherwise, thanks to supply chain shortages.

Of course, it's always nice to find some savings on more popular items. Luckily, we have already seen the AirPods Pro dip down to $179 (only $10 more than last year's Black Friday price) and decent Mac savings, like the $150 discount on the M1 MacBook Air earlier this month. Likely the best deals will be on slightly-dated 2020 releases, though we're keeping our eyes peeled for you for any dips on the new releases.

This post will be updated throughout the holiday shopping season.




via Tech Republiq

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