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Black Friday 2021 is finally upon us and there's never been a better time to save on coveted Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, AirPods, Mac desktops and laptops, and Apple Watches.
You'll find deals from retailers like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, B&H, and Amazon, as well as carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Even Apple itself has Black Friday deals but not in the traditional sense — rather, you get a gift card from Apple after buying something at normal pricing.
Below, we've rounded up the best discounts on Apple products currently available. Check back to this post as we'll be updating it often with as many new deals as we can.
Best Black Friday iPhone deals
The iPhone 13 series is the latest in Apple's roster and the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone SE, and iPhone 11 are still being sold and produced by Apple.
Retailers and carriers have good deals on these but note that many deals are tied with your carrier and their monthly payment plans. That means you need to make sure you're buying an iPhone deal with the carrier you want, whether it's the one you're on now or a carrier you want to switch to.
Black Friday is an ideal time to get phones that aren't in production anymore, like the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Retailers will be looking to get rid of their existing stock of these iPhones and we're seeing tempting deals as a result.
Best Black Friday iPad deals
Apple's most powerful iPad is on sale this holiday season in its 11-inch size. The iPad Pro's sleek look, long battery life, and excellent screen make it an ideal option for those who want a portable work device, especially now that iPads support mouse and trackpad input.
Those savings are especially important for a device like the iPad Pro since you may want to put the extra cash towards the premium accessories Apple sells to make the most out of its super-sized tablet, like the $349 Magic Keyboard.
Best Black Friday MacBook deals
If you're shopping for a new laptop for schoolwork and light productivity, the 2021 MacBook Air running on Apple's M1 processor is ideal. This model comes with Apple's new and improved Magic keyboard that offers a more durable and comfortable design.
It also has several of the other features Apple introduced on other recent MacBook models, like Touch ID for signing in with your fingerprint and True Tone, which enables the display's color temperature to adapt to the lighting in your surroundings.
If you want a machine that's speedier than the MacBook Air but nearly as portable, check out the 13-inch MacBook Pro. This model lacks the 16-inch version's booming speakers but still comes with an Intel processor that packs more power than the Air.
And yes, it has the same Magic Keyboard as the 16-inch Pro and MacBook Air. It's an ideal choice for those seeking a work laptop that isn't quite as big as the 16-inch model.
The best Black Friday Apple Watch deals
Apple's current smartwatch roster includes the Apple Watch Series 7, SE, and Series 3. Deals can be had on the discontinued (but still supported) Series 6, which is essentially the same as the newer Series 7, save for a slightly older design.
The Series 7 comes with a new blood oxygen sensor, faster charging, and a brighter always-on display. It's the Apple Watch to get if you really want everything Apple has to offer in terms of health and wellness tracking. However, if you're content with just the basics, it's worth eyeing the cheaper Apple Watch SE or Series 3.
The Apple Watch SE is already a great deal, and it's even cheaper ahead of the holiday season. Apple's mid-tier watch still comes with many of the most important features found on the Series 7, like a larger screen than the Series 3, and activity and fitness tracking features.
If you don't mind sacrificing an always-on display, the ability to take an ECG from your wrist, and blood oxygen level measurements, the less expensive Apple Watch SE is the right model for you.
We don't normally recommend the Series 3, as its low storage can lead to issues with updating the watch to the latest version of Watch OS. However, the Series 3 does have its place for seriously budget-conscious buyers.
The Series 3 is still a perfectly capable smartwatch — it runs the latest Apple Watch software, meaning you'll get many of the basic features available on the SE and Series 7, and is also the most inexpensive Apple Watch compatible with Apple Fitness.
If you want a smartwatch for little else than tracking workouts and checking notifications from your phone on the wrist, check out the Series 3. Just watch out for its low amount of storage — if you have some apps loaded onto it, it might not have enough storage for future updates.
If you don't mind slightly thicker bezels, the Series 6 is a great option over the Series 7. Performance and features are largely identical, save for the thicker bezels. It may be discontinued, but Apple will continue to support it for years with interface updates just as it still supports as far back as the Series 3 today.
The best Black Friday Apple AirPods deals
With its noise cancellation, rich sound, and more customizable fit, the Airpods Pro is a great choice for iPhone owners looking for a pair of general-purpose wireless earbuds.
If you just want the basic AirPods experience, Apple's second-generation AirPods are available at a discount at Amazon, Best buy, and Target. This version offers the ability to summon Siri hands-free but lacks wireless charging and noise cancellation like its more expensive siblings. Regardless, it's a notable drop from the AirPods' original price of $159.
Apple's latest AirPods are right in between the standard 2nd-generation AirPods and the AirPods Pro. They come with improved sound, wireless charging, a more compact design, and water resistance, but they lack noise canceling.
Apple's AirPods Max is essentially an over-ear version of the AirPods Pro. They come with noise-canceling and the best sounds among AirPods. Their full $550 price sets a high bar for deals and discounts to make these worth it when cheaper alternatives like Sony's WH-1000XM4 or Bose's 700 headphones are as good, if not better.
Best Black Friday Beats headphones deals
The Beats Solo 3 is another great option for those seeking a reliable pair of on-ear headphones, especially at their discounted price this Black Friday. The Solo 3 comes with Apple's W1 chip for fast pairing with iPhones and has a 40-hour battery life, making the headphones a great fit for those who want a pair of headphones they can use for a long time without scrambling for a charger.
Beats's popular on-ear Solo Pro headphones are also getting a massive discount this holiday season. Thge Solo Pro comes with Apple's newer H1 chip, which should offer faster switching between devices. Compared to their predecessor, the Solo Pro offers improvements when it comes to battery life, noise-canceling, and audio quality.
The PowerBeats Pro are the headphones to get if you want a pair of wireless earbuds that offer a more snug and secure fit than Apple's AirPods. The PowerBeats Pro wrap around your ears for a tighter grip and offer longer battery life than the AirPods Pro. They also come with similar features, like quick pairing with Apple products, since the earbuds have Apple's H1 chip.
But, unlike the AirPods Pro, they offer noise isolation rather than noise cancellation, which means they use the ear tips to block out sound rather than actually canceling out surrounding noises.
Apple Black Friday FAQs
Does Apple offer deals on Black Friday?
Apple rarely discounts its own products on Black Friday in its stores or online. Instead, Apple usually offers gift cards along with certain eligible purchases. This year, the company is giving away gift cards of up to $100 from November 26 through November 29 when you buy an iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Beats headphones, and Apple accessories.
Should I buy from Amazon, Target, Best Buy, or Walmart?
Many of these retailers offer very similar deals on products like the AirPods and the Apple Watch, which means you'll have a couple of options should one retailer go out of stock. In instances where multiple retailers offer the same product at the same price, consider which retailer is most convenient for you in terms of shipping options. If you have an Amazon Prime membership and want to get the product as fast as possible, it might make more sense to purchase through Amazon. But, if you'd rather pick up the item at your nearby Target or Best Buy, you should consider ordering from your preferred brick-and-mortar retailer.
Do these stores offer curbside pickup?
Yes, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart all offer curbside pickup. But, you should check with your local retailer since the rules may vary by location and items purchased. Walmart, for example, says that not all stores offer curbside pickup for Black Friday deals.
How do we choose the best Apple deals?
We select products that meet our high standard of coverage based on testing and research. This includes testing Apple's products as well as similar devices from its main competitors.
We also research prices across retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy and compare them against Apple's prices to find the deals that are worth paying attention to.
source https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-black-friday-deals-2021-11