Amazon's 'October Prime Day' (Big Deal Days) is featuring substantial early discounts across a wide array of Apple products, including AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and Apple Watches, with expectations for further price reductions during the main event. These markdowns are largely driven by the recent release of newer Apple models, such as the AirPods Pro 3 and Apple Watch Series 11, indicating a strategic retail push to clear inventory and stimulate sales volume across Apple's ecosystem ahead of the holiday season.
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The best Prime Day Apple deals include over $100 off MacBooks and the iPad Pro You can also save $50 on the capable, compact Apple AirPods Pro 2 now that a newer model is out. Apple sales don't happen often, and worthwhile ones are even harder to come by. That's why October Prime Day, also known as Amazon Big Deal Days, on October 7th and 8th, is worth circling if you've been eyeing a MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch or AirPods. The good news? You don't have to wait. Early Prime Day Apple deals are already live, giving shoppers a head start before Amazon's two-day sales event officially kicks off next week. This year's lineup looks especially promising. With Apple dropping new AirPods Pro 3 and Apple Watch Series 11, older models are seeing markdowns now — a strong hint that even deeper discounts could land during Amazon Big Deal Days. The best Prime Day Apple deals: AirPods More than 10,000 Amazon shoppers snapped up these earbuds in the past month, so calling them a customer favorite is an understatement (they're sitting comfortably in my ears as I write this). They come with more features than you may expect given the tiny package: active noise cancellation, transparency mode, USB-C charging and a snug, customizable fit. "The noise cancellation amazed me," said this shopper. "I have a window A/C unit to cool my office, and when I put these in, I thought it turned off. It took me two or three times of taking them in and out of my ear to realize the headphones were eliminating the sound." So what do the new Pro 3s have that these don't? They remove twice as much noise, and they add live translation and a heart rate monitor. At their full price of $249, they're not exactly a steal, but the upgrades might be worth it for you — plus, our sister site Engadget loves them. Check out their AirPods Pro 3 review. Related: Apple AirPods Pro 2 review: Excellent earbuds with game-changing new hearing features If you don't like that feeling of having something wedged in your ear and don't need active noise cancellation, these buds are the way to go. How are they different from the previous generation? The shorter stem gives them a cleaner look, and the new quick-press controls mean no more fumbling to pause your tunes or take a call. Plus, they fit better and stay put, so you won't have to keep adjusting them while you're at the gym or running to catch the train. "I decided to upgrade from my AirPods 2 and I'm impressed!" a happy listener wrote. "Sound quality is great! Wow! They don't feel like they're going to fall out of my ears and [are] very comfortable." Unlike previous versions of the iconic buds, these AirPods feature active noise cancellation to block out nearly all ambient sound and background chatter. It's a remarkable sensation. The first time I put them in my ears and turned on ANC, I was amazed at how well it worked. The AirPods Pro 2 also feature ANC, utilizing silicone tips to form a seal in your ears, which not everyone likes. If you don't like that feeling of having something wedged in your ear but still want ANC, this is the way to go. Named the best headphones for Apple die-hards by Yahoo Senior Tech Writer Rick Broida, these combine style and performance in a unique package (literally) — they come with a special magnetic carrying cover as opposed to a case. "Best headphones ever," an in-love listener remarked. "Recently had a root canal done and didn't hear a thing (my dentist said that was a first in his experience). They cancel the noise I don't want to hear, and provide superb sound for music I do want to hear." Don't want to deal with charging your earbuds? These OG Apple EarPods are just $16, and they've never gone lower than that. These come with a built-in remote to control music, phone calls and volume. "These are perfect for calls and Zoom meetings because they never run out of battery and have the best microphone," one retro reviewer wrote. The best Prime Day Apple deals: iPads The newest iPad is an ultra-light, thin tablet that's powerful enough to replace your laptop for most tasks but slips into your bag with room to spare. With a spacious 11-inch Liquid Retina display, you're swiping and scrolling in vibrant color and sharpness that makes any screen that came before it feel like an old tube TV. It's also our pick for the overall best iPad for most users. Why? Well, this iPad is ready to keep up with whatever you throw its way. If you've got a habit of toggling among a dozen apps, streaming videos and replying to messages simultaneously, you're in for a treat. And if you're into gaming, the graphics capabilities mean you can play even demanding games without dropping a frame. At $299, this tablet is just $20 shy of its all-time low — a price we've only seen during Prime Day. If a sleek design is at the top of your tablet wishlist, it's the perfect fit. Equipped with Apple's powerful M3 chip, it offers all-day battery life, a stunning 12-megapixel camera, and a Liquid Retina display that makes movies and TV shows pop. "The screen resolution is really beautiful," wrote one impressed shopper. "It's lighter in weight than my old one and a little thinner. The camera takes gorgeous pictures." There's something about editing photos on an iPad that feels closer to the darkroom than a desktop — the touchscreen turns it into a hands-on craft. If you plan on using your iPad for more than casual internet browsing, the iPad Pro may be worth the investment. This version has all-day battery life, a crystal-clear ultra Retina XDR display, and even Apple Intelligence. If the 11-inch display is a bit too small for your needs, it also comes in a larger 13-inch display. "This has gotta be one of the best tablets ever made in this world," one buyer proclaimed. "It feels so sleek and futuristic." The best Prime Day Apple deals: MacBooks and Macs This updated version of the MacBook Air features the latest generation M4 chip, meaning you'll get a much more powerful computer with everything else you love about the Air, including its outstanding 18-hour battery life and gorgeous 13.6-inch screen. These days, 13 inches can feel a little small for a laptop screen. Luckily, the 15-inch version of the Air is also on sale — less than $200 more than the smaller version. Plus it comes with all of the goodies too, like 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD storage, a 12-megapixel camera and 18 hours of battery life. (If you're working longer than that, you should probably take a break anyway.) Looking for the best of the best? Speaking as someone who has used one every workday for the past 13 years, a MacBook Pro is likely exactly what you're looking for. This one — also at its best price to date — was released just a few months ago and comes with some of the latest features, like Apple Intelligence and the advanced M4 chip. It also has a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, one of the crispest in the entire MacBook lineup. "This laptop will last a decade. The battery lasts forever. I do mild development work for my job, and this laptop is capable of handling all the Python code without issue," said this snake handler. "This is perfect for students, professionals and more." Even at full price, I think the Mac mini is the best Apple deal out there, especially if you already have a monitor. It's everything that a comparable iMac is, but in a smaller, way less expensive package. Many of my friends who are sound, video and photo editors swear by them. Luckily, this one is cheaper than retail, depending on the RAM and storage you need. Not sure about those numbers? Remember this: You can always buy an external hard drive, but RAM is much harder, sometimes impossible, to upgrade. The best Prime Day Apple deals: AirTags and accessories Thanks to AirTags, I can track my bags from drop-off to the plane to the luggage carousel. And even when the worst happens, and my bags end up in Orlando when I'm in Michigan (true story), I know where they are and how to find them. "First, we bought one Apple AirTag for my husband's wallet. Then we bought a second one for his car keys," said this repeat buyer. "Now, we have a four-pack, which is cheaper, for our golf bags and checked roller bags." If you're guilty of being a little (or very) forgetful, an AirTag may just be that piece of tech you didn't know you needed. It doesn't feel or look too "techy." In fact, it's completely uncomplicated. Just attach it to whatever you tend to misplace often or need to keep track of, like your wallet, keys or luggage. You'll always know where it is using the "Find My" app on your phone. It's among our picks for the best Bluetooth trackers on the market. "I use these for everything as a chronic misplacer," a savvy shopper said. "My most recent purchase was for my cat's collar because she hides all over the house. It provides great peace of mind!" It's been years since I stopped plugging my phone in at night, instead setting it down on a wireless charger that's plugged in next to my nightstand. That said, some nights it isn't sitting just right and I wake up to a dead phone. Not so with a MagSafe charger. Not only is this one $20, but it's just a $1 more than the 1m long version, which means you won't be stretching the cable just to plug it in to the outlet. Need one that can fast-charge? It's just $5 more. The best Prime Day Apple deals: Apple Watches The 2023-released SE has everything you need, from trackers for your heart rate and steps to crash detection, and nothing you don't. So if you've been waiting for an Apple Watch to go on sale, this deal is for you. The price is unlikely to drop any further until holiday sales begin. "The durability is outstanding. I was a bit careless and forgot the watch in my pants when I was doing laundry," said a forgetful fan. "Luckily, after a 40-minute wash and a 50-minute dry on high heat, the watch worked perfectly fine." If you have a little more to spend on an Apple wearable, the Series 10 is worth the investment. It boasts an always-on Retina display and comes with useful features like ECG apps, a fitness tracker and more. "I upgraded from a Series 5," said this watch wearer. "The battery life is phenomenal, I can literally go two days without charging. When I do have to charge it, it's full in about 30 minutes. The price is on par for the quality. The health sensors are nice. I know I have sleep apnea and never got around to taking care of it. The watch notified me after about a month of use and provides data to bring in to the doctor's office." If you want the newest of the new, here you go. It's already $10 off on Amazon, and the near-full-price sticker might be worth it with the upgrades, especially if you're using a watch older than Series 10. Of particular note? The 24-hour battery life and updated sleep score features. If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication. Amazon's 'October Prime Day' sales event is facilitating significant, and in some cases near-record, discounts on a broad range of Apple's last-generation products, a strategy precipitated by recent launches like the AirPods Pro 3 and Apple Watch Series 11. This promotional activity appears to be a deliberate inventory management tactic by Apple, leveraging Amazon's retail platform to clear channel stock and stimulate unit sales volume ahead of the holiday season. The strong consumer response, highlighted by metrics such as over 10,000 AirPods units sold in the past month, underscores the durable demand for Apple's ecosystem, even for non-current models. For Amazon, securing these deals reinforces its position as a critical retail partner for premium electronics, driving traffic and sales for its 'Big Deal Days' event. The simultaneous promotion of older products at a discount and newer models featuring advanced technology like the M4 chip illustrates an effective, dual-pronged strategy to capture a wider consumer base and manage the product lifecycle effectively.
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