When the Apple Watch was first revealed towards the end of 2014, it was marketed as a fashion accessory more than anything else. It still had many of the core features we see on it today – like the Rings – but while its design has remained similar over the years, it’s now significantly more than a fashion accessory. It’s a smartwatch packed to the brim with health sensors and a brilliant fitness and information companion.
I’ve reviewed every Apple product this year, and these are the 6 Black Friday deals you should buy
There are some excellent Black Friday deals on Apple devices, but there are some that stand out more than others. Here are our top recommendations.
If you’ve considered buying an Apple Watch, then now is a great time to take the leap. I’ve worn one since 2015, and although it has left my wrist for the odd day here and there – I didn’t think it quite worked with my wedding dress – it’s a purchase I never regret. With Black Friday in full swing, there is no better time to take the Apple Watch plunge, especially with money off all the latest models.
Latest Apple Watch Black Friday deals
I am tracking all of the Apple discounts across multiple retailers through the Black Friday sales period and I’m dropping any of the latest deals in the list below to make it quick and simple to see what the most recent products to go on sale are. If there are no new deals for the day in question, I have listed the best deals on Apple Watch models I have found so you don’t have to scroll too far to see what you should be buying and what the best prices are.
Best Apple Watch Black Friday deals
The beauty of the Apple Watch is that because the design hasn’t changed all that much in the last couple of years, you can buy an older model, and no one will know. Don’t go too old, as you’ll want it to support watchOS for the next few years to make sure you get the most out of your new Apple Watch, but there’s no harm in the Series 8 and Watch Ultra if you can find them for a good price. The models below are the ones I’d currently recommend based on their price and my experience.
Apple Watch SE (2022)
$179 $249 Save $70
The Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation) is the current entry point into the Apple Watch, offering many of the basic features but missing out on a couple of the more advanced ones, like ECG, Always-On Display and Double Tap. It’s a perfect smartwatch for those who don’t need all the bells and whistles, though. This deal is a bargain at under $180 in some retailers.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
$739 $799 Save $60
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the latest and greatest Apple Watch model, so it’s a surprise to see it discounted. It delivers everything the Series 9 does, with a few added extras and a more rugged build. It’s a fantastic smartwatch, and at $60 off, it’s a great price too.
Apple Watch Series 9
$429 $499 Save $70
The Apple Watch Series 9 comes in a choice of GPS only and GPS & Cellular, the latter of which enables you to use your smartwatch without your iPhone if you have a plan for it. There’s a decent deal on the GPS & Cellular model of the Series 9, too, with $70 off.
Apple Watch Series 8
$320 $399 Save $79
The Apple Watch Series 8 is no longer the latest Apple Watch model, but it’s still worth considering as it offers many of the same features. There is currently an excellent deal on the Series 9, so we would recommend considering that first, but Walmart is offering the GPS & Cellular model for $175 off, which is great if you want that functionality.
Best Black Friday Apple Watch accessory deals
Since the launch of the Apple Watch, all straps have remained compatible with all models. The case sizes have changed over the years, but 38mm straps are still compatible with 41mm Apple Watch models, and the same applies to 40mm straps and the 45mm and 49mm models. There are also a range of great chargers and charging stands worth checking out.
Apple MagSafe Duo Charger
$98 $129 Save $31
The Apple MagSafe Duo allows you to charge your iPhone and Apple Watch or AirPods at the same time. It folds together, so it’s super easy and portable, and it looks good, too, for a wireless charger. This is the lowest price we’ve seen it recently, with over $30 off.
Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Charging Stand (2nd Gen)
$120 $150 Save $30
The Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand is one of the best charging stands out there, offering charging for your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods if you have them. It’s currently dropped to its lowest price, too, with $30 off.
What is the newest Apple Watch?
The newest Apple Watch models are the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Both launched in September 2023, replacing the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra that arrived in 2022. It’s worth noting that the Watch SE (2022) remains the latest SE model and is also the entry point into the Apple Watch portfolio.
Should I buy an older Apple Watch on Black Friday?
There is no harm in buying an older Apple Watch on Black Friday – but do make sure you are getting a decent price. It is more common for last year’s models to be discounted than the latest ones, though that isn’t the case for this year. We have no issue recommending a Series 8 or a Watch Ultra so it’s worth looking out for a good deal on those models, but the Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 deals are much better. The Watch Series 8 and Watch Ultra offer identical designs to the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2, though the newest models come with Double Tap, which is quite a nifty little feature in use. We wouldn’t recommend buying older than a Watch Series 7 as that should mean you get a few years of watchOS support and the new features that arrive with that before your smartwatch isn’t compatible or the hardware isn’t powerful enough to support future features.
Should I buy the Watch SE (2022) or Watch Series 9?
This very much depends on what you want out of your smartwatch. The Watch SE (2022) is an excellent smartwatch overall, though it does miss out on some features like ECG, Always-On Display and Double Tap. The Series 9 is the better smartwatch in terms of performance and features, but if you don’t think you’ll use all the features on offer and you just want a smartwatch for fitness tracking, Apple Pay and being able to help you find your iPhone, then you’ll save over $100 opting for the SE model. We have a separate feature detailing all the differences between the Watch SE and Watch Series 9, as well as another highlighting the differences between the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2.
Why you can trust Pocket-lint to find the best Black Friday Apple Watch deals
Myself and the team at Pocket-lint and have been reviewing Apple Watches for a number of years, and as I mentioned, I have worn one since 2015. When I look for Apple Watch deals, I’m not just looking at the amount of money off; I’m also considering whether it’s a new discount or one that we’ve seen before, as well as whether I would actually recommend buying the specific Apple Watch model in question. You might notice, for example, that there are no Series 6 deals listed, and I have yet to find a decent Series 7 deal that makes it worth buying over the new models, especially since the new models are currently discounted.
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