Apple has announced its annual four-day shopping event that begins Black Friday and ends on Cyber Monday, and like always, the best stuff is excluded.
Apple is once again offering gift cards instead of actual discounts, but they’re a little better than in year’s past. Apple changed the way its gift cards operate, so you can use it on device and digital purchases. But you’re still better off searching for deals elsewhere.
For one, none of Apple’s newest products are part of the sale. So you won’t find the iPhone 12, Apple Watch SE or Series 6, iPad Air, or M1 Macs, as well as the HomePod mini.
So what is available? Here’s how the sale breaks down:
- iPhone 11, SE, XR: $50 gift card
- Apple Watch Series 3: $25 gift card
- AirPods Pro or AirPods: $25 gift card
- iPad Pro or iPad mini: $50-$100 gift card
- iMac or 16-inch MacBook Pro: $150 gift card
- Apple TV or HomePod: $50-$100 gift card
Considering that Amazon is selling most of these products for better than the gift card discount, you’re better off checking out our roundup of the best Apple Black Friday deals than buying any of the deals here. But if you really want to support your local Apple Store, the sale starts Friday. November 27.
Author: Michael Simon, Executive Editor
Michael Simon has been covering Apple since the iPod was the iWalk. His obsession with technology goes back to his first PC—the IBM Thinkpad with the lift-up keyboard for swapping out the drive. He's still waiting for that to come back in style tbh.