The best time to buy an Apple product is right after it's refreshed and a long way from its next update, so you avoid an immediate price drop. Avoid buying iPhones and Apple Watches just before the September launch window. The biggest discounts land during Black Friday, Back to School, and Amazon Prime Day, and buying last year's model or Certified Refurbished saves 15 to 30%.
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Tools and accessories matched to this guide.
| Product | Last Update | Next Update | Buy or Wait? |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Sept 2025 | Sept 2026 | Wait 6 months |
| iPhone SE | March 2022 | March 2026? | Imminent |
| MacBook Air | March 2024 | March 2027 | Buy now |
| MacBook Pro | Oct 2023 | Oct 2026 | 7 months away |
| iPad Pro | May 2024 | 2026/2027 | Buy now |
| iPad Air | May 2024 | 2026 | Buy now |
| Apple Watch | Sept 2025 | Sept 2026 | Wait |
| AirPods Pro | Sept 2023 | 2026? | Buy now |
Best deals on: Older models, accessories, iPads
Best deals on: MacBooks, iPads for students
Best deals on: Accessories, older iPhones, AirPods
Buy last year's model when new one releases - save 20-30%
Apple Certified Refurbished = 15% off with full warranty
Shop Apple Renewed →Save 10% year-round with education pricing
Was $1,199 → Now $779
Last year's flagship at huge discount before iPhone 16
Get This Deal →Was $249 → Save $60
Lowest price ever, no new model coming soon
Get AirPods Pro →The months right before the September launch window are the worst time, since a new iPhone and Apple Watch typically arrive then. Waiting a few weeks gets you either the new model or a discount on the outgoing one.
Black Friday in November, Back to School from July to September, and Amazon Prime Day in July and October offer the deepest discounts. They're best for older models, accessories, iPads, and AirPods.
Buying last year's model when the new one launches typically saves 20 to 30%. For example, an iPhone tends to drop about $100 when its successor arrives, and older MacBook Air models have dropped around $200.
Yes for value. Apple Certified Refurbished products run about 15% off and come with a full warranty, making them one of the lower-risk ways to save on Apple hardware year-round.
Education pricing saves roughly 10% year-round and can stack with Back to School promotions. It also extends to parents of students, making it a useful discount beyond just enrolled students.