The Prime Early Access Sale is set for Oct. 11-12, during which you can score a deal on Apple iPads, AirPods, and more at Amazon.
Apple products that are shipped and sold by Amazon include the same one-year AppleCare warranty that is offered from the Apple Store. But Apple does not usually offer direct discounts this time of year; it usually goes the gift card route on Black Friday. You don’t have to wait until November to upgrade your Apple device; here’s what you can get now. If you’re not a Prime member, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial(Opens in a new window) for new users.
The Best Prime Early Access Sale Apple Deals
Shopping tip: Check Amazon’s Apple product page(Opens in a new window), click the category of the product you’re looking for, and select the “All models” option so you can see all the discounts at a glance. We recommend cycling through color options to see if there are any checkout discounts mentioned on the product page. And keep tabs on our Prime Early Access Sale page for all the best deals.
Best Apple AirPods Deals
Second-gen AirPods
(Credit: Tim Gideon)
Since the last Amazon Prime Day, Apple released new AirPods Pro, which boast exceptional Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and audio performance, earning them a PCMag Editors’ Choice stamp of approval. The most notable change is Apple’s new H2 chip, which contains roughly twice as many transistors as the original H1, making way for better power efficiency, a more stable user experience, and more useful ANC modes. Look for a price drop as Prime Day begins on Oct. 11; they were $169.99 earlier this week. Until then, the second-gen AirPods are less than $100, while the over-ear AirPods Max get a 13% discount.
Best Apple iPad Deals
2022 iPad Air
(Credit: Molly Flores)
Apple offers four different iPad models with five different screen sizes and a variety of price points. So what’s the right choice for you? The base iPad is ideal for everyday needs like watching videos, reading books, browsing the web, and chatting with friends; it features an A13 Bionic chip, up to 256GB storage, a 10.2-inch Retina LCD screen with 2,160-by-1,620-pixel resolution, 8MP rear camera, and 12MP selfie shooter.
The small-but-mighty mini, meanwhile, packs a big punch with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and 2,266-by-1,488-pixel screen, A15 Bionic chip, and 12MP rear-facing cam. It also boasts Wi-Fi 6 and 5G, as well as a USB-C connector.
On the more fully featured end is the M1-powered iPad Air, which sports a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina LCD screen with 2,360-by-1,640-pixel resolution and 12MP ultrawide front camera. If you’ve got the cash to burn, Apple’s 11- or 12.9-inch iPad Pro uses the same M1 chip, but goes even bigger with multiple rear cameras, an HDR display, and up to 2TB of storage.
Still can’t decide? Check out our comparison piece for an even deeper dive into Apple’s iPads.
Best Apple Watch Deals
Apple Watch Series 7
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
The Apple Watch also comes in an assortment of sizes and styles, making the decision about which wearable to buy more difficult. With the new release of the Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra models, it may be a good time to snag a more affordable Series 7. It features an always-on display, sports a dustproof IP6X certification, more crack-resistant Ion-X glass, and water resistance up to 164 feet. If you’re just looking for a timepiece that can track your exercise, try Apple’s more budget-friendly alternatives: Watch SE, which have smaller screens, thicker bezels, and slower charging capacities.
Recommended by Our Editors
Best Macbook Laptop Deals
M2 Apple MacBook Air
(Credit: Molly Flores)
Apple also upgraded its MacBook Air this year, refreshing the look and adding an M2 processor; it’s “Apple’s best ultraportable laptop yet,” we found in our review. The slim laptop’s body measures a mere 0.44 inches (front and back), and weighs only 2.7 pounds—thanks in large part to a new logic board design. One of the biggest changes to the 2022 Air’s design is its 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, with thin bezels and a notch that scoops out a bit at the top of the screen to make way for the built-in 1080p webcam. The company also added a new four-speaker setup that supports Spatial Audio, even without headphones. It’s on sale alongside the M1 Macbook Air and MacBook Pro.
Best Apple Accessory Deals
Apple AirTags
(Credit: Apple)
For artists and creative professionals, Apple’s second-generation Pencil is the only iPad stylus worth considering, we found in our review. Just make sure to check whether your device needs a first- or second-gen Pencil. Apple’s AirTag, meanwhile, tells your other Apple devices exactly where to find lost objects, even if they’re miles away. If you’re charging a newer iPhone, they support Apple’s wireless MagSafe charging, and you can save a few bucks on a charger.
For the latest Apple news, reviews, and deals, take a peek at our Apple page.
Amazon Prime Early Access SaleYou can get great deals, but only if you know where to look and how to compare prices.
Does Apple ever have specials?
Apple doesn’t usually offer discounts outright on “shopping holidays” like Black Friday. Instead, it typically offers gift cards if you purchase select Apple products, including iPhones, MacBooks, and Apple Watches. If you’re looking to save on an Apple product, check retailers like Amazon and Best Buy before you press buy on Apple.com.
Is it better to buy Apple products from Apple or Best Buy?
Best Buy is more likely to offer discounts on Apple products than Apple itself, typically when it has excess inventory it needs to clear out. But both brands offer AppleCare+ protection plans, so there’s not a huge difference between buying directly from Apple or Best Buy.
Does Apple give 10% discount?
Apple offers a 10% discount to current and Veteran members of the US Military, National Guard and Reserve, as well as their immediate family members who reside in the same household. Shoppers need to verify their Veteran or active military status with ID.me.
